Brain structure and function differences across varying levels of endurance training: a cross-sectional study

Area of Science:

• Neuroscience
• Sports Science
• Brain Plasticity

Background:

• Previous research indicates unique brain plasticity in endurance athletes.
• However, systematic investigations into structural and functional brain differences across varying training levels are lacking.

Purpose of the Study:

• To systematically investigate structural and functional brain characteristics of endurance athletes at different training levels.
• To compare brain differences between high-level athletes, moderate-level athletes, and non-athlete controls.

Main Methods:

• Employed a "expert-novice paradigm" using functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI).
• Assessed gray matter volume (GMV), fractional amplitude of low-frequency fluctuations (fALFF), and degree centrality (DC).
• Compared these metrics across three groups: high-level endurance athletes, moderate-level endurance athletes, and controls.

Main Results:

• High-level athletes showed greater GMV in the hippocampus, thalamus, temporal lobe, and cerebellum, correlating with training duration and capacity.
• High-level athletes exhibited higher fALFF in the frontal gyrus and precuneus, and higher DC in the occipital lobe and cerebellum compared to other groups.
• Moderate-level athletes displayed greater GMV in the prefrontal cortex, medial frontal lobe, temporal pole, striatum, and insula compared to high-level athletes.

Conclusions:

• Endurance training induces distinct adaptive brain benefits that vary with training level.
• High-level athletes demonstrate enhanced GMV and functional activity in memory, motor, and sensory processing regions.
• Moderate-level athletes show specific functional reorganization within the default mode network and cerebellum.