Acute exercise protects newly formed motor memories against rTMS-induced interference targeting primary motor cortex

Research output: Contribution to journalJournal articlepeer-review

Acute cardiovascular exercise can promote motor memory consolidation following motor practice, and thus long-term retention, but the underlying mechanisms remain sparsely elucidated. Here we test the hypothesis that the positive behavioral effects of acute exercise involve the primary motor cortex and the corticospinal pathway by interfering with motor memory consolidation using non-invasive, low frequency, repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS). Forty-eight able-bodied, young adult male participants (mean age = 24.8 y/o) practiced a visuomotor accuracy task demanding precise and fast pinch force control. Following motor practice, participants either rested or exercised (20 min total: 3 × 3 min at 90% VO2peak) before receiving either sham rTMS or supra-threshold rTMS (115% RMT, 1 Hz) targeting the hand area of the contralateral primary motor cortex for 20 min. Retention was evaluated 24 h following motor practice, and motor memory consolidation was operationalized as overnight changes in motor performance. Low-frequency rTMS resulted in off-line decrements in motor performance compared to sham rTMS, but these were counteracted by a preceding bout of intense exercise. These findings demonstrate that a single session of exercise promotes early motor memory stabilization and protects the primary motor cortex and the corticospinal system against interference.

Original languageEnglish
JournalNeuroscience
Volume436
Pages (from-to)110-121
Number of pages12
ISSN0306-4522
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 2020

Bibliographical note

Copyright © 2020 IBRO. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

    Research areas

  • Faculty of Science - Motor learning, Skill learning, Physical activity, neuroplasticity, Memory interference

ID: 240985354