Department of Neurology, University of Campinas, Campinas, São Paulo, Brazil.
Department of Physical Education, Federal University of Rio Grande do Norte, Natal, Rio Grande do Norte, Brazil.
Br J Sports Med. 2015 Apr;49(8):556-60. doi: 10.1136/bjsports-2012-091924. Epub 2013 Jun 1.
BACKGROUND/AIM: Currently, the equipment and techniques available to assess brain function during dynamic exercise are limited, which has restricted our knowledge of how the brain regulates exercise. This study assessed the brain areas activated during cycling by making use of a novel cycle ergometer, constructed to measure functional MRI (fMRI) brain images during dynamic exercise. Furthermore, we compared brain activation at different levels of ratings of perceived exertion (RPE) generated during the exercise.
Seven healthy adults performed cycling exercise in a novel MRI compatible cycle ergometer while undergoing brain fMRI. Participants completed a cycling block protocol comprising six trials of 2 min cycling with 16-s intervals between trials. Participants reported their RPE every minute through an audio link. The MRI cycling ergometer transferred the torque generated on the ergometer through a cardan system to a cycling ergometer positioned outside the MRI room. For data analysis, the effects of cycling as opposed to rest periods were examined after motion correction.
The multiparticipant analysis revealed in particular the activation of the cerebellar vermis and precentral and postcentral gyrus when periods of cycling versus rest were compared. Single participant analysis in four participants revealed that activation of the posterior cingulate gyrus and precuneus occurred in cycling blocks perceived as 'hard' compared with exercise blocks that were less demanding.
The present study offers a new approach to assess brain activation during dynamic cycling exercise, and suggests that specific brain areas could be involved in the sensations generating the rating of perceived exertion.
背景/目的：目前，评估动态运动期间大脑功能的设备和技术有限，这限制了我们对大脑如何调节运动的了解。本研究利用新型自行车测力计评估了在骑自行车时大脑激活的区域，该测力计旨在测量动态运动期间的功能磁共振成像（fMRI）大脑图像。此外，我们比较了在运动过程中产生的不同感知用力等级（RPE）水平下的大脑激活。
7 名健康成年人在新型 MRI 兼容的自行车测力计上进行自行车运动，同时进行 fMRI 大脑扫描。参与者完成了一个包含 6 次 2 分钟自行车运动的自行车块协议，每次运动之间间隔 16 秒。参与者每分钟通过音频链接报告他们的 RPE。MRI 自行车测力计通过万向节系统将在测力计上产生的扭矩传递到位于 MRI 室外的自行车测力计上。为了进行数据分析，在进行运动校正后，检查了与休息期相比，骑自行车期的影响。
多参与者分析特别揭示了与休息期相比，在骑自行车期时小脑蚓部以及中央前回和中央后回的激活。在四名参与者中的单参与者分析显示，与要求较低的运动块相比，当参与者认为运动块“困难”时，后扣带回和楔前叶的激活发生。
本研究提供了一种新方法来评估动态自行车运动期间的大脑激活，并表明特定的大脑区域可能参与了产生感知用力等级的感觉。
