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A Single Bout of High-Intensity Interval Training Improves Motor Skill Retention in Individuals With Stroke.

Authors :
Nepveu JF
Thiel A
Tang A
Fung J
Lundbye-Jensen J
Boyd LA
Roig M
Source :
Neurorehabilitation and neural repair [Neurorehabil Neural Repair] 2017 Aug; Vol. 31 (8), pp. 726-735. Date of Electronic Publication: 2017 Jul 08.
Publication Year :
2017

Abstract

Background: One bout of high-intensity cardiovascular exercise performed immediately after practicing a motor skill promotes changes in the neuroplasticity of the motor cortex and facilitates motor learning in nondisabled individuals.<br />Objective: To determine if a bout of exercise performed at high intensity is sufficient to induce neuroplastic changes and improve motor skill retention in patients with chronic stroke.<br />Methods: Twenty-two patients with different levels of motor impairment were recruited. On the first session, the effects of a maximal graded exercise test on corticospinal and intracortical excitability were assessed from the affected and unaffected primary motor cortex representational area of a hand muscle with transcranial magnetic stimulation. On the second session, participants were randomly assigned to an exercise or a nonexercise control group. Immediately after practicing a motor task, the exercise group performed 15 minutes of high-intensity interval training while the control group rested. Twenty-four hours after motor practice all participants completed a test of the motor task to assess skill retention.<br />Results: The graded exercise test reduced interhemispheric imbalances in GABA <subscript>A</subscript> -mediated short-interval intracortical inhibition but changes in other markers of excitability were not statistically significant. The group that performed high-intensity interval training showed a better retention of the motor skill.<br />Conclusions: The performance of a maximal graded exercise test triggers only modest neuroplastic changes in patients with chronic stroke. However, a single bout of high-intensity interval training performed immediately after motor practice improves skill retention, which could potentially accelerate motor recovery in these individuals.

Details

Language :
English
ISSN :
1552-6844
Volume :
31
Issue :
8
Database :
MEDLINE
Journal :
Neurorehabilitation and neural repair
Publication Type :
Academic Journal
Accession number :
28691645
Full Text :
https://doi.org/10.1177/1545968317718269