Neuroimaging methods have recently been used to investigate plasticity-induced changes in brain structure. However, little is known about the dynamic interactions between different brain regions after extensive coordinated motor learning such as drumming. In this article, we have compared the resting-state functional connectivity (rs-FC) in 15 novice healthy participants before and after a course of drumming (30-min drumming sessions, 3 days a week for 8 weeks) and 16 age-matched novice comparison participants. To identify brain regions showing significant FC differences before and after drumming, without a priori regions of interest, a multivariate pattern analysis was performed. Drum training was associated with an increased FC between the posterior part of bilateral superior temporal gyri (pSTG) and the rest of the brain (i.e., all other voxels). These regions were then used to perform seed-to-voxel analysis. The pSTG presented an increased FC with the premotor and motor regions, the right parietal lobe and a decreased FC with the cerebellum. Perspectives and the potential for rehabilitation treatments with exercise-based intervention to overcome impairments due to brain diseases are also discussed.

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Recent research in which data were averaged over 10 or 30 s suggests that the VO(2) response of aerobically fit individuals plateaus below VO(2 max) in an exhaustive square-wave run lasting approximately 2 min. To investigate this phenomenon we examined the breath-by-breath VO(2) response of trained runners to an exhaustive treadmill run at 800 m pace. Eight male competitive runners completed two treadmill tests on separate days: a ramp test to exhaustion and an exhaustive square-wave run at 800-m pace. For the ramp test, the breath-by-breath data were smoothed with a 15-s moving average and the highest of the smoothed values was taken as VO(2 peak) [mean (SD): 68.9 (5.6) ml kg(-1) min(-1)]. For the square-wave, the breath-by-breath data were interpolated to give one value per second and modelled using a monoexponential function. Following a delay of 11.2 (1.5) s, VO(2) increased quickly [phase-2 time constant of 10.7 (2.7) s] towards an asymptote that represented just 85 (6)% of VO(2 peak) from the ramp test. Expressed in ml kg(-1) min(-1), this asymptote was independent of VO(2 peak) (r=0.04, P=0.94). However, as a percentage of VO(2 peak) it was negatively correlated with VO(2 peak) itself (r=-0.96, P<0.001). It is concluded that in an exhaustive square-wave treadmill run lasting approximately 2 min the VO(2) of aerobically fit runners increases quickly to plateau at a level that is lower than, but independent of, VO(2max).

We investigated the oxygen uptake ( VO(2)) response to exhaustive square wave exercise of approximately 2, 5 and 8 min duration in cycling and running. Nine males completed a ramp test and three square wave tests on a motorised treadmill and the same four tests on a cycle ergometer, throughout which gas exchange was assessed (Douglas bag method). The peak VO(2) from the ramp test was higher for running than for cycling [mean (SD): 58.4 (2.8) vs. 55.9 (3.7) ml.kg(-1).min(-1); P=0.04]. However VO(2max) (defined as the highest VO(2) achieved in any of the four tests) did not differ between running and cycling [60.0 (2.9) vs. 58.5 (3.3) ml.kg(-1).min(-1); P=0.15]. The peak VO(2) was similar ( P>0.1) for the 5 and 8 min square wave tests [98.5 (1.8) and 99.2 (2.3) % VO(2max) for running; 97.0 (4.2) and 97.5 (2.0) % VO(2max) for cycling] but lower ( P<0.001) for the 2-min test [91.8 (2.5) and 89.9 (5.5) % VO(2max) for running and cycling respectively]. VO(2) increased over the final two 30-s collection periods of the 2-min test for cycling [Delta VO(2)=0.18 (0.15) l.min(-1); P<0.01] but not running [Delta VO(2)=0.00 (0.09) l.min(-1); P=0.98]. We conclude that in the aerobically fit the peak VO(2) for square wave running or cycling at an intensity severe enough to result in exhaustion in approximately 2 min is below VO(2max). In running, VO(2) plateaus at this sub-maximal rate.

The purpose of this study was to examine the effect of exercising at the epinephrine threshold and at Maximum Power Output on the performance of a skill that requires both decision-making and motor performance. Participants (N=12) undertook an incremental test to exhaustion from which their epinephrine threshold and Maximum Power Output were calculated. They were then examined on a soccer skill test following rest and exercise that was previously determined to elicit their epi nephrine threshold and Maximum Power Output. The soccer test examined the participants' speed and accuracy of response. Speed of response was measured by voice reaction time and whole body reaction time. No significant effects of exercise were shown for any of the variables. The need for further research using more complex skill tests and the use of discontinuous exercise protocols, rather than continuous ones, is recommended.