ECSS Paris 2023: OP-BM07
Introduction Many sports require interpersonal motor coordination during cooperative and competitive tasks. In these cases, understanding the neural basis of motor control requires a shift from studying the brain in action to examining multiple brains in (inter)-action [1]. Literature suggests that the synchronization of individuals’ movements during interpersonal interactions is accompanied by coordination of their neural activities, known as interpersonal neural coupling (INC) [2]. However, this type of investigation is missing in the sports domain. The pilot study presented herein was a first attempt to explore INC during real-world table tennis. In particular, this study aimed to investigate distinctive INC strategies underlying cooperative and competitive table tennis [3]. Methods Two same-gender dyads of table tennis players (1 male and 1 female dyad) were involved in the study. EEG-hyperscanning was used to simultaneously record the neural signals of the two players in a dyad during cooperative (Coop) and competitive (Comp) table tennis sessions. Within- (WB), between- (BB), and hyper-brain (HB) functional connectivity matrices were reconstructed using the corrected imaginary part of the Phase Locking Value (ciPLV), which were characterized with four graph theoretical metrics: Strength (S), Participation Coefficient (PC), Local (LE) and Global Efficiency (GE). Analysis was implemented in the theta, alpha, and beta frequency bands. By the Wilcoxon rank sum test, we assessed significant differences between Coop and Comp, and by Pearsons correlation, we explored the relation between S and PC in HB. Results Alpha and beta S showed higher WB coupling during Coop and higher BB coupling during Comp, with anterior and central areas showing greater connectivity, respectively. PC was uniformly distributed and higher in Comp for theta and beta, whereas alpha was higher in Coop. S and PC correlated positively only in theta. In both conditions, GE was higher than LE in WB, and LE was higher than GE in HB. Discussion Alpha and beta S differences between Coop and Comp suggest distinct neural strategies during table tennis: Coop emphasizes interpersonal coordination, while Comp prioritizes individual motor strategy. PC differences indicate intensified HB interaction during Comp, responding to elevated cognitive and motor demands. Positive theta band correlation between S and PC underlines the significance of theta band for task-related network dynamics, regardless of social conditions. Finally, Comp showed more integrated WB and more segregated HB networks than Coop, revealing the impact of cognitive and motor challenges in shaping INC dynamics during sports interactions. References [1] Filho et l., 2016 - https://doi.org/10.7717/peerj.2457 [2] Müller et al., 2021 - https://doi.org/10.1016/j.neubiorev.2021.07.017 [3] Tamburro et al., 2023 - https://doi.org/10.3389/fnhum.2023.1305331
Read CV Antonio De FanoECSS Paris 2023: OP-BM07
INTRODUCTION: The phenomenon of training one limb and improving the motor skills of both the trained and untrained contralateral limb is defined as cross-education. It was demonstrated that a cross-education effect of a finger-tapping task was only observed from the right dominant hand to the left non-dominant hand in the right-handers. Whether cross-education effect is also limited to the dominant hand training to non-dominant untrained hand in the left-handers is not determined. METHODS: Left-hand (n = 24) dominant participants (age = 22.50 ± 6.56 years, male: female = 10:14) were asked to complete a set of finger-tapping training tasks (two digits with five fingers). 12 of them performed left-handed finger tapping training and 12 of them performed right-handed finger tapping training. The task consisted of both left- and right-handed tests before and after the experiment and ten trials of 2-min practice each on the same apparatus. The speed and task errors were measured and analyzed. RESULTS: All subjects who trained either left hand or right hand improved their performance of the trained hand. The task correctness, and speed were improved for both trained and untrained hands, regardless of the side of training. The completion time of the tasks before training of the non-dominant right hand was 182.42 ±37.08 s and 136.56 ±26.00 s after training, while that of non-trained left hand improved from 175.93 ±36.18 s to 118.45 ±42.75 s without training. The completion time of dominant left hand improved from 167.22 ±35.73 s to 130.03 ±27.33 s, while that of the non-trained right hand improved from 154.08 ±31.79 s to 118.54 ±21.66 s. A paired t-test revealed the improvements in both dominant to non-dominant, and non-dominant to dominant were statistically significant (p < 0.05). CONCLUSION: Our results indicate that the interlimb transfer effect is also present in left-handed individuals, but from both dominant to non-dominant and non-dominant to dominant sides unlike the right-handed individuals.
Read CV Wenyu ZhangECSS Paris 2023: OP-BM07
INTRODUCTION: Quiet Eye (QE), defined as the final fixation before initiating a motor behaviour, has been shown to be a significant factor in athletic performance (Vincze et al., 2023). Previous study has proposed that extended QE durations allow the athlete to acquire more relevant information and better calibrate their upcoming action. However, it remains unclear if QE influences performance in dynamic and interactive sports. Fencing is a complex, dynamic, and interactive sport, and little has been done to understand the workings of gaze behaviour, including QE in this sport. In this study, we will investigate longer QE is associated with better fencing performance. Furthermore, fencing actions can be broadly separated into two pressure conditions: low pressure (when the fencer is attacking) and high pressure (when the fencer is defending). Accordingly, we will investigate whether defensive actions are preceded by more fixations and scans of locations, given the increased need to sample the visual field in order to anticipate opponents attack. METHODS: Athletes performed a 10-minutes fencing assault, where they had to score as many points as they can. Gaze behaviour (duration of QE, locations of QE, number of scans) was captured using Tobii Glasses 3 eye tracking system. The duration of the task was derived by measuring the duration of ten knockout bouts at a Sabre World Cup, from 2023, a typical saber fencing competition. RESULTS: Pilot data from fourteen fencers indicate the following: (1) the duration of QE was longer before successful touches compared to unsuccessful touches, (t(13) = 2.80, p = .008, dz = 0.75), (2) the number of fixations and (3) of the scanned locations was higher prior to high pressure actions compared to low pressure actions (all ts(13) = >2.39, ps < .016, dzs> 0.64). CONCLUSION: This research contributes to a greater understanding of the cognitive processes underlying realistic sports performance and has implications for athlete training and performance. Vincze, A., Iliescu, D., & Jurchiș, R. (2023). Quiet Eye supports winner shots in a simulated table tennis competition. Scandinavian Journal of Medicine & Science in Sports, 33(5), 631-640.
Read CV andrada vinczeECSS Paris 2023: OP-BM07