Stage-Dependent Brain Plasticity Induced by Long-Term Endurance Training: A Longitudinal Neuroimaging Study

Area of Science:

• Neuroscience
• Exercise Physiology
• Brain Plasticity

Background:

• Long-term physical training is known to induce brain plasticity.
• The specific neural adaptations across different training stages are underexplored.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the stage-dependent effects of endurance running on brain structure and resting-state function.
• To compare neural adaptations in high-level runners, moderate-level runners, and sedentary controls over two years.

Main Methods:

• Two-year longitudinal study with 30 healthy college students.
• MRI scans (T1-weighted structural imaging, resting-state fMRI) at baseline and follow-up.
• Participants categorized into high-level runners, moderate-level runners, and sedentary controls.

Main Results:

• High-level runners: increased degree centrality (DC) in the left dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (DLPFC).
• Moderate-level runners: increased gray matter volume (GMV) in prefrontal cortex, insula, putamen, temporo-parieto-occipital junction; decreased GMV in cerebellum. Also, altered DC and fractional amplitude of low-frequency fluctuations (fALFF) in various regions.
• Sedentary controls: no significant changes.

Conclusions:

• Long-term endurance training induces distinct patterns of brain plasticity at different training stages.
• More prominent and widespread brain changes occur during earlier phases of training.
• Observed brain changes involve regions critical for executive control, sensorimotor integration, and motor coordination.