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The relationship between physical fitness and somatosensory brain responses in adolescents-a pilot study
Aoi Mase1, Masako Nakagawa2, Manabu Shibasaki3
1Graduate School of Humanities and Sciences, Nara Women's University, Nara, Japan.
Introduction:
This study examined whether physical fitness is associated with somatosensory brain responses during puberty, using somatosensory evoked potentials (SEPs) and anthropometric/physical fitness indices.
Methods:
Sixteen boys and twenty girls participated. Height, weight, 50-m sprint, standing long jump, grip strength, sit-ups, sit and reach, side steps, and ball throw were assessed. SEPs were elicited by electrical stimulation of the right median nerve (3 Hz). Data from Fz and C3' were analyzed. Peak-to-peak amplitudes were measured for N15, P18, and N30 at Fz and for N18, P22, N27, P45, and N60 at C3'. Correlations were tested between physical fitness measures (including total score) and SEP amplitudes.
Results:
In boys, the Fz N30 amplitude was correlated with total score (r = 0.594, p = 0.019), 50-m sprint performance (r = -0.560, p = 0.024), and sit-ups (r = 0.657, p = 0.008). In girls, standing long jump distance was negatively correlated with the C3' N27 amplitude (r = -0.585, p = 0.007).
Conclusion:
Significant associations were observed between specific physical fitness components and somatosensory SEP amplitudes in adolescents, with distinct patterns identified in boys and girls. These findings indicate that somatosensory brain responses are related to physical fitness during puberty.
