Generality And Specialty In Brain Structure Of Athletes In Two Kinds Of Open Ball Games

AimingThe Plasticity refers to function and structure changes in brain adapted toenvironment. Researches to musicians and taxi drives showed related brain structurechanges after long-period musical exercises and driving navigation. Many researchesinvestigating the difference of brain structure between athletes and the normal alsofound related motor central neural system changing after long-term specific exercises.In sports, superior motor skills as well as high cognitive abilities are required.Specifically, more fine muscle groups are involved to play badminton. However,basketball is a kind of group event which requires more tactical experiences. Thisstudy aimed to discuss the effect of long-term exercise on central neural system bycomparing the brain structure between badminton players and basketball players.MethodThere were3groups including12basketball players,10badminton players and12controls, all men. Simons3.0T functional magnetic resonating imaging was usedto investigate the brain structure of athletes and the controls. Differences of greymatter between3groups were calculated using voxel-based morphormetryalgorithm.Specifically, between-group contrasts were performed after full-factor analysis inSPM. Furthermore, we can find the structure differences by comparing2kinds brainof athletes. Common region would be found by conjunction analysis afterResults(1) Comparing control group, increasing grey matter of left temporal-occipitalconjunction region, right frontal-orbitalgyrus and right superior temporal gyrus werefound in brain of both athletes.(2) Badminton players showed increasing grey matter in cerebellum8areas,substantial nigra, lingual gyrus, inferior frontal gyrus, caudate lobe, middle occipitallobe, cuneus, precuneus and superior parietal lobe than that of basketball players.While basketball players showed increasing grey matter in fusiform, inferior frontallobe, middle frontal lobe, middle temporal lobe, precuneus, cingulate and superiorfrontal gyrus.Discussion(1) Visual perception ability should be a part of general motor ability for athletesengaging in open ball games, which was shown in brain structure.(2) The structure differences of brain between2kinds of athletes are in line with thedifferences of character between2kinds of sports.ConclusionThis study verifies the possibility of coexisting of general motor abilityhypothesis and specificity of motor ability hypothesis, and provides guidance inpractice and athletes selection.