title: Hemodynamic Response Alteration As a Function of Task Complexity and Expertise-An fNIRS Study in Jugglers.
abstract: Detailed knowledge about online brain processing during the execution of complex motor tasks with a high motion range still remains elusive. The aim of the present study was to investigate the hemodynamic responses within sensorimotor networks as well as in visual motion area during the execution of a complex visuomotor task such as juggling. More specifically, we were interested in how far the hemodynamic response as measured with functional near infrared spectroscopy (fNIRS) adapts as a function of task complexity and the level of the juggling expertise. We asked expert jugglers to perform different juggling tasks with different levels of complexity such as a 2-ball juggling, 3- and 5-ball juggling cascades. We here demonstrate that expert jugglers show an altered neurovascular response with increasing task complexity, since a 5-ball juggling cascade showed enhanced hemodynamic responses for oxygenated hemoglobin as compared to less complex tasks such as a 3- or 2-ball juggling pattern. Moreover, correlations between the hemodynamic response and the level of the juggling expertise during the 5-ball juggling cascade, acquired by cinematographic video analysis, revealed only a non-significant trend in primary motor cortex, indicating that a higher level of expertise might be associated with lower hemodynamic responses.
authors.affiliation: Institute for General Kinesiology and Exercise Science, University of LeipzigLeipzig, Germany; Department of Sport Science, Martin Luther University of Halle-WittenbergHalle, Germany.
authors.forename: Daniel
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Carius
authors.affiliation: Department of School Sport, Institute of Sport Psychology and Sport Pedagogy, University of Leipzig Leipzig, Germany.
authors.forename: Christian
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Andrä
authors.affiliation: Institute of General Kinesiology and Athletics Training, University of Leipzig Leipzig, Germany.
authors.forename: Martina
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Clauß
authors.affiliation: Institute for General Kinesiology and Exercise Science, University of LeipzigLeipzig, Germany; Department of Neurology, Max Planck Institute for Human Cognitive and Brain SciencesLeipzig, Germany.
authors.forename: Patrick
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Ragert
authors.affiliation: Institute for Applied Training Science Leipzig, Germany.
authors.forename: Michael
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Bunk
authors.affiliation: Department of Neurology, Max Planck Institute for Human Cognitive and Brain SciencesLeipzig, Germany; Day Clinic for Cognitive Neurology, University Hospital LeipzigLeipzig, Germany.
authors.forename: Jan
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Mehnert
keywords: juggling; long-term training; near-infrared spectroscopy; neuroplasticity; task difficulty