Supplementary Motor Area During Motor Actions in Athletes With Neurological Disorders: Observational Study of Cases...

To determine differences in the activation of the supplementary motor area (SMA) during the motor preparation and anticipatory phase in athletes with and without neurological disorders during the action of kicking a ball in static and dynamic conditions.

Two groups of 15 athletes each (disabled and non-disabled) were recruited. Surface electroencephalography (EEG) was used to record cortical activity while participants performed two motor tasks. Prior to each trial, participants remained with their eyes closed for 20 s to ensure a neutral baseline state. EEG analyses were conducted during the period from eyes opening to ball contact. Cortical source density was extracted from the EEG signal and compared between the two groups and tasks across different frequency bands.

Significantly higher activation of the SMA and premotor areas activity was found in the experimental group versus the control group during the preparatory phase still target task with the non-dominant/more affected leg. In reaction time terms, significant differences between groups were found during the moving target task with the non-dominant/more affected leg and during the still target task with the dominant/less-affected leg.

The differences observed in SMA activation suggest possible variations in motor preparation processes among the groups; these findings indicate the presence of compensatory neural strategies that may facilitate motor control in athletes with neurological disorders. These results may serve as a basis for future research on adapted sports training and neurorehabilitation.

People with neurological disorders may exhibit a series of motor deficiencies that affect sports practice. Delving into the mechanisms involved can improve performance and motor planning in other daily-living functions.