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European Journal of Applied Physiology

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01-05-2021 | Motor Evoked Potential | Original Article

Modulation of intracortical inhibition during physically performed and mentally simulated balance tasks

Authors: A. Mouthon, J. Ruffieux, W. Taube

Published in: European Journal of Applied Physiology | Issue 5/2021

Abstract

Purpose

Action observation (AO) during motor imagery (MI), so-called AO + MI, has been proposed as a new form of non-physical training, but the neural mechanisms involved remains largely unknown. Therefore, this study aimed to explore whether there were similarities in the modulation of short-interval intracortical inhibition (SICI) during execution and mental simulation of postural tasks, and if there was a difference in modulation of SICI between AO + MI and AO alone.

Method

21 young adults (mean ± SD = 24 ± 6.3 years) were asked to either passively observe (AO) or imagine while observing (AO + MI) or physically perform a stable and an unstable standing task, while motor evoked potentials and SICI were assessed in the soleus muscle.

Result

SICI results showed a modulation by condition (F_2,40 = 6.42, p = 0.009) with less SICI in the execution condition compared to the AO + MI (p = 0.009) and AO (p = 0.002) condition. Moreover, switching from the stable to the unstable stance condition reduced significantly SICI (F_1,20 = 8.34, p = 0.009) during both, physically performed (− 38.5%; p = 0.03) and mentally simulated balance (− 10%, p < 0.001, AO + MI and AO taken together).

Conclusion

The data demonstrate that SICI is reduced when switching from a stable to a more unstable standing task during both real task execution and mental simulation. Therefore, our results strengthen and further support the existence of similarities between executed and mentally simulated actions by showing that not only corticospinal excitability is similarly modulated but also SICI. This proposes that the activity of the inhibitory cortical network during mental simulation of balance tasks resembles the one during physical postural task execution.

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Title: Modulation of intracortical inhibition during physically performed and mentally simulated balance tasks
Authors: A. Mouthon
J. Ruffieux
W. Taube
Publication date: 01-05-2021
Publisher: Springer Berlin Heidelberg
Keywords: Motor Evoked Potential
Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation
Motor Evoked Potential
Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation
Published in: European Journal of Applied Physiology / Issue 5/2021
Print ISSN: 1439-6319
Electronic ISSN: 1439-6327
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00421-020-04577-1

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Modulation of intracortical inhibition during physically performed and mentally simulated balance tasks

Abstract

Purpose

Method

Result

Conclusion

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Abstract

Purpose

Method

Result

Conclusion

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