Differences in Anatomical Structures and Resting-State Brain Networks Between Elite Wrestlers and Handball Athletes

Area of Science:

• Neuroscience
• Sports Science
• Medical Imaging

Background:

• Biomedical imaging advances enable long-term exercise effect studies on the central nervous system.
• Understanding sport-specific neural adaptations is crucial for sports science.

Purpose of the Study:

• To compare brain morphology and functional connectivity in elite wrestlers and handball players.
• To explore sport-specific neural adaptations in athletes.

Main Methods:

• Used anatomical and resting-state functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) on 26 elite male athletes (13 wrestlers, 13 handball players).
• Employed seed-based correlation analysis for functional connectivity and voxel-based morphometry (VBM) for anatomical differences.
• Analyzed cortical thickness and global volumetric values using non-parametric statistical tests.

Main Results:

• Wrestlers exhibited greater grey matter volume (GMV) in specific brain regions, including the right middle temporal gyrus and left middle frontal gyrus.
• Increased functional connectivity was observed in wrestlers within regions like the left superior temporal gyrus and left anterior orbital gyrus.
• Wrestlers demonstrated greater cortical thickness in several brain areas compared to handball players.

Conclusions:

• Findings suggest sport-specific neural adaptations in wrestlers, evidenced by increased GMV, cortical thickness, and functional connectivity.
• Highlights neuroplastic effects of athletic disciplines.
• Further research with diverse sports and control groups is recommended for comprehensive understanding.