Practice modulates motor‐related beta oscillations differently in adolescents and adults

Abstract

Key points Magnetoencephalography data were acquired during a leg force task in pre‐/post‐practice sessions in adolescents and adults. Strong peri‐movement alpha and beta oscillations were mapped to the cortex. Following practice, performance improved and beta oscillations were altered. Beta oscillations decreased in the sensorimotor cortex in adolescents after practice, but increased in adults. No pre‐/post‐practice differences were detected for alpha oscillations. Abstract There is considerable evidence that there are motor performance and practice differences between adolescents and adults. Behavioural studies have suggested that these motor performance differences are simply due to experience. However, the neurophysiological nexus for these motor performance differences remains unknown. The present study investigates the short‐term changes (e.g. fast motor learning) in the alpha and beta event‐related desynchronizations (ERDs) associated with practising an ankle plantarflexion motor action. To this end, we utilized magnetoencephalography to identify changes in the alpha and beta ERDs in healthy adolescents (n = 21; age = 14 ± 2.1 years) and middle‐aged adults (n = 22; age = 36.6 ± 5 years) after practising an isometric ankle plantarflexion target‐matching task. After practice, all of the participants matched more targets and matched the targets faster, and had improved accuracy, faster reaction times and faster force production. However, the motor performance of the adults exceeded what was seen in the adolescents regardless of practice. In conjunction with the behavioural results, the strength of the beta ERDs across the motor planning and execution stages was reduced after practice in the sensorimotor cortices of the adolescents, but was stronger in the adults. No pre‐/post‐practice changes were found in the alpha ERDs. These outcomes suggest that there are age‐dependent changes in the sensorimotor cortical oscillations after practising a motor task. We suspect that these noted differences might be related to familiarity with the motor task, GABA levels and/or maturational differences in the integrity of the white matter fibre tracts that comprise the respective cortical areas.

Enhancement of motor performance by a training method combining motor imagery and neurofeedback

“…From these investigations, we can formulate the hypothesis that beta-ERD can be enhanced when learning an unfamiliar motor action, but it will be decreased after the action is familiarized. In line with this interpretation, a report has shown a correlation between the beta-ERD suppression and motor skill retention (Gehringer et al 2018). In Experiment 1, we designed a novel motor task with short training periods.…”

“…With regard to mu-ERD, larger mu-ERD has been observed more often in elite athletes than novices (Del Percio et al 2007; Wolf et al 2014). Beta-ERD has been discussed in the context of the motor learning and efficiency after learning (Gehringer et al 2019; Jochumsen et al 2017; Pollok et al 2014). Beta-ERD has been related to the maintenance of a current motor state (Engel and Fries 2010), and, in one study, the short-term training was found to enhance beta-ERD, while longer-term training did not result in changes of beta-ERD compared with pre-training (Jochumsen et al 2017).…”

“…Many studies have proposed that beta-ERD is also related with motor planning, execution, and imagery (Formaggio et al 2010; Kraeutner et al 2014; Nasseroleslami et al 2014; Neuper et al 2006; Gert Pfurtscheller and Neuper 1997; Wheaton et al 2009). Some reports have shown a correlation of beta-ERD with motor performance (Gehringer et al 2019; Jochumsen et al 2017) and motor learning (Pollok et al 2014), but others have shown a negative correlation between beta-ERD and performance (Dal Maso et al 2018; Gehringer et al 2018). To limit the effect of neurofeedback, we focused on the mu-ERD feedback and not beta-ERD.…”

GABAergic Modulation in Movement Related Oscillatory Activity: A Review of the Effect Pharmacologically and with Aging

“…When comparing beta-ERD in adults and children, it has been noted that adults have onset of beta-ERD as early as two seconds prior to the onset of movement, leading to a longer overall duration of beta-ERD, whereas children have onset of beta-ERD when movement is initiated [ 69 ]. Furthermore, children have smaller amplitude beta-ERD compared to adults, though older children (ages 11–13) have a larger amplitude beta-ERD than younger children (ages 4–6) [ 69 75 ]. Reporting on laterality of this finding has been mixed with findings being reported both as only unilateral to the movement [ 68 ] and bilateral [ 39 ].…”

Novel insights into speech production networks of adults with developmental stuttering as revealed by analyses of speech intention, syllable frequency, and long-term therapy effects

“…A stronger beta power decrease is observed prior to high-frequency words (Grabner et al, 2007) and motor learning (Pollok et al, 2014;Pollok et al, 2015; for contradicting findings see Espenhahn et al, 2019;Gehringer et al, 2018). Relating to speech, high-frequency syllables are well learned (Bohland et al, 2010) and produced with shorter reaction times and greater accuracy (Laganaro & Alario, 2006).…”