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Resistance training induces supraspinal adaptations: evidence from movement-related cortical potentials

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Abstract

Early effects of a resistance training program include neural adaptations at multiple levels of the neuraxis, but direct evidence of central changes is lacking. Plasticity exhibited by multiple supraspinal centers following training may alter slow negative electroencephalographic activity, referred to as movement-related cortical potentials (MRCP). The purpose of this study was to determine whether MRCPs are altered in response to resistance training. Eleven healthy participants (24.6 ± 3.5 years) performed 3 weeks of explosive unilateral leg extensor resistance training. MRCP were assessed during 60 self-paced leg extensions against a constant nominal load before and after training. Resistance training was effective (P < 0.001) in increasing leg extensor peak force (+22%), rate of force production (+32%) as well as muscle activity (iEMG; +47%, P < 0.05). These changes were accompanied by several MRCP effects. Following training, MRCP amplitude was attenuated at several scalp sites overlying motor-related cortical areas (P < 0.05), and the onset of MRCP at the vertex was 28% (561 ms) earlier. In conclusion, the 3-week training protocol in the present study elicited significant strength gains which were accompanied by neural adaptations at the level of the cortex. We interpret our findings of attenuated cortical demand for submaximal voluntary movement as evidence for enhanced neural economy as a result of resistance training.

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Acknowledgments

Authors would like to thank Drs. Andrey Anokhin, Simon Golosheykin, and Sean Kristjansson for their technical expertise and guidance; Paula Stewart and Corey Lohnes for their assistance in data collection; and Joshua Funk for the creation of figures and illustrations. Direct support for this research was provided by National Strength and Conditioning Association (M.J. Falvo), and Missouri Physical Therapy Association (G.M. Earhart). Additional support was provided by NIH grants T32HD007434 (Program in Physical Therapy) and 1K01HD048437 (G.M. Earhart).

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The authors declare that they have no conflict of interest.

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Correspondence to Michael J. Falvo.

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Communicated by Susan Ward.

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Falvo, M.J., Sirevaag, E.J., Rohrbaugh, J.W. et al. Resistance training induces supraspinal adaptations: evidence from movement-related cortical potentials. Eur J Appl Physiol 109, 923–933 (2010). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00421-010-1432-8

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