Abstract
A growing body of neuroscience research has evidenced the beneficial effects of physical activity on brain plasticity, human cognition and mental health. In this MRI study, we investigated the influence of sports exercise on brain structure. Specifically, we used VBM to compare gray matter volume (GMV) and white matter volume (WMV) in two groups of healthy adult participants who had or had not engaged in regular sports exercise in the last four weeks before brain scanning.
A total number of 82 healthy adults participated in the study. 54 of them had engaged in regular sports exercise in the last four weeks, whereas 28 had not. Higher GMV in the sports group compared with the no-sports group was identified in the right postcentral gyrus and precuneus, whereas lower GMV was identified in the right angular gyrus. Regarding WMV, higher volume in the sports group was identified in bilateral occipital and central areas. The former is related to cortico-cerebellar fibers connecting the cerebral cortex, cerebellum, and brain stem, whereas the latter is related to the cortico-spinal tracts connecting the motor/somatosensory cortices to the spinal cord.
The results provide insights into the large-scale neuroanatomical effects of regular sports exercise on GMV and WMV. Of central importance is the relation between these factors and mental health. An analysis of mental health symptoms showed significantly better values for the sports group in paranoid ideation, p = 0.001. In sum, the results of this study add to the neuroscientific foundation of lifestyle effects on human health.
A total number of 82 healthy adults participated in the study. 54 of them had engaged in regular sports exercise in the last four weeks, whereas 28 had not. Higher GMV in the sports group compared with the no-sports group was identified in the right postcentral gyrus and precuneus, whereas lower GMV was identified in the right angular gyrus. Regarding WMV, higher volume in the sports group was identified in bilateral occipital and central areas. The former is related to cortico-cerebellar fibers connecting the cerebral cortex, cerebellum, and brain stem, whereas the latter is related to the cortico-spinal tracts connecting the motor/somatosensory cortices to the spinal cord.
The results provide insights into the large-scale neuroanatomical effects of regular sports exercise on GMV and WMV. Of central importance is the relation between these factors and mental health. An analysis of mental health symptoms showed significantly better values for the sports group in paranoid ideation, p = 0.001. In sum, the results of this study add to the neuroscientific foundation of lifestyle effects on human health.
| Original language | English |
|---|---|
| Publication status | Published - 15 Jul 2021 |
| Event | Salzburg Mind-Brain Annual Meeting (SAMBA) 2021 - Virtual, Virtual, Austria Duration: 15 Jul 2021 → 16 Jul 2021 |
Online-Conference
| Online-Conference | Salzburg Mind-Brain Annual Meeting (SAMBA) 2021 |
|---|---|
| Abbreviated title | SAMBA 2021 |
| Country/Territory | Austria |
| City | Virtual |
| Period | 15/07/21 → 16/07/21 |
Fields of Science and Technology Classification 2012
- 501 Psychology