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01-12-2016 | Original Article

Differences in corticospinal system activity and reaction response between karate athletes and non-athletes

Authors: Fiorenzo Moscatelli, Giovanni Messina, Anna Valenzano, Annamaria Petito, Antonio Ivano Triggiani, Antonietta Messina, Vincenzo Monda, Andrea Viggiano, Vincenzo De Luca, Laura Capranica, Marcellino Monda, Giuseppe Cibelli

Published in: Neurological Sciences | Issue 12/2016

Abstract

The aim of this study was to verify the hypothesis that transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) parameters over the hand region of the motor cortex, such as resting motor threshold (rMT) and motor evoked potential (MEP) latency, predict the behavioural performance of karate athletes in the response time (RT) test. Twenty-five male karate athletes (24.9 ± 4.9 years) and 25 matched non-athletes (26.2 ± 4.5 years) were recruited. Using TMS, we investigated cortico-spinal system excitability. Compared with controls, the athletes showed faster RT (p < 0.001), lower rMT (p < 0.01), shorter MEP latency (p < 0.01), and higher MEP amplitude (p < 0.01); moreover, there was a significant positive linear correlation between RT and rMT (p < 0.001), between RT and MEP latency (p < 0.0001), and a negative correlation between RT and MEP amplitude (p < 0.001). The practice of competitive sports affects both the central and peripheral nervous system. Subjects that showed higher cortical excitability showed also higher velocity, at which the neural signal is propagated from the motor cortex to the muscle and consequently better RT. The lower rMT and the shorter MEP latency observed in athletes support the effects of training in determining specific brain organizations to meet specific sport challenges.

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Title: Differences in corticospinal system activity and reaction response between karate athletes and non-athletes
Authors: Fiorenzo Moscatelli
Giovanni Messina
Anna Valenzano
Annamaria Petito
Antonio Ivano Triggiani
Antonietta Messina
Vincenzo Monda
Andrea Viggiano
Vincenzo De Luca
Laura Capranica
Marcellino Monda
Giuseppe Cibelli
Publication date: 01-12-2016
Publisher: Springer Milan
Published in: Neurological Sciences / Issue 12/2016
Print ISSN: 1590-1874
Electronic ISSN: 1590-3478
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10072-016-2693-8

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Differences in corticospinal system activity and reaction response between karate athletes and non-athletes

Abstract

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Abstract

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