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Delta and alpha rhythms are modulated by the physical movement knowledge in acrobatic gymnastics: an EEG study in visual context

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Abstract

Background

The evaluation of electrocortical activity (EEG) during visual stimuli may reveal differences depending on experience level.

Methods

Fourteen volunteers, seven belonging to the expert group (high experience in the field of the acrobatic gymnastics) and seven to the control one, took part in the study. Ten videos recorded during the execution of specific physical movements of acrobatic gymnastics have been included in the execution task. Power spectrum as indicator of the electrocortical activity was used.

Results

Expert group showed lower power spectra levels in delta (MD = − 2.23) and higher power spectra levels in slow alpha (MD = 2.17) bands, compared to control group during the vision of the videos with errors; during the vision of the videos without errors, expert group showed lower power spectra levels in delta (MD = − 1.04) and higher power spectra levels in slow alpha (MD = 1.88) bands compared to control group. Generally, occipital, frontal and central areas showed differences between groups in regard to power spectra levels.

Conclusions

These findings confirm the relationship between EEG activity and vision of specific physical movements and extend knowledge on the electrocortical response to visual stimuli emphasizing the difference between experienced and inexperienced subjects, relative to the field analyzed.

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Funding

No funding was received.

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. SUISM, University School of Hygiene and Motor Sciences, University of Turin, Corso Trento 13, 10129, Turin, Italy

    Marco Ivaldi & Eleonora Fiorenti

  2. Department of Statistics and Quantitative Methods, University of Milano-Bicocca, Piazza dell’Ateneo Nuovo 1, 20126, Milan, Italy

    Giovanni Cugliari

  3. Department of Medical Sciences, University of Turin, C.so Dogliotti 14, 10126, Turin, Italy

    Giovanni Cugliari

  4. NeuroMuscular Function Research Group, Department of Medical Sciences, School of Exercise and Sport Sciences, University of Turin, Piazza Lorenzo Bernini 12, 10143, Turin, Italy

    Alberto Rainoldi

Authors
  1. Marco Ivaldi
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  2. Giovanni Cugliari
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  3. Eleonora Fiorenti
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  4. Alberto Rainoldi
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Contributions

MI contributed to the experimental design, undertook the data collection, interpreted the results and drafted the manuscript. GC performed the data analysis, conceived the statistical analysis, interpreted the results and drafted the manuscript. EF undertook the data collection. AR provided critical comments and revised the manuscript. All authors read and approved the final manuscript.

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Giovanni Cugliari.

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Conflict of interest

The authors certify that there is no conflict of interest.

Ethical approval

Ethical approval was obtained by the Committee of the Research Department of the University of Torino, Italy. The research protocol was designed in accordance with the Helsinki Declaration.

Informed consent

All volunteers were informed of the purpose of the study, and they signed informed consent forms.

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Cite this article

Ivaldi, M., Cugliari, G., Fiorenti, E. et al. Delta and alpha rhythms are modulated by the physical movement knowledge in acrobatic gymnastics: an EEG study in visual context. Sport Sci Health 14, 563–569 (2018). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11332-018-0461-2

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11332-018-0461-2

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