The Lateralization of Spatial Cognition in Table Tennis Players: Neuroplasticity in the Dominant Hemisphere

Abstract

Spatial cognition facilitates the successful completion of specific cognitive tasks through lateral processing and neuroplasticity. Long-term training in table tennis induces neural processing efficiency in the visuospatial cognitive processing cortex of athletes. However, the lateralization characteristics and neural mechanisms of visual–spatial cognitive processing in table tennis players in non-sport domains are unclear. This study utilized event-related potentials to investigate differences in the spatial cognition abilities of regular college students (controls) and table tennis players. A total of 48 participants (28 controls; 20 s-level national table tennis players) completed spatial cognitive tasks while electroencephalography data were recorded. Task performance was better in the table tennis group than in the control group (reaction time: P < 0.001; correct number/sec: P = 0.043), P3 amplitude was greater in the table tennis group (P = 0.040), spatial cognition showed obvious lateralization characteristics (P < 0.001), table tennis players showed a more obvious right-hemisphere advantage, and the P3 amplitude in the right hemisphere was significantly greater in table tennis athletes than in the control group. (P = 0.044). Our findings demonstrate a right-hemisphere advantage in spatial cognition. Long-term training strengthened the visual–spatial processing ability of table tennis players, and this advantage effect was reflected in the neuroplasticity of the right hemisphere (the dominant hemisphere for spatial processing).

Identifying the Level of Symmetrization of Reaction Time According to Manual Lateralization between Team Sports Athletes, Individual Sports Athletes, and Non-Athletes

“…The results of the study contribute to expanding the level of knowledge regarding how the hemispheric lateralization manifested in manual laterality and motor experience influence the manual motor skills evaluated through computer tests, between different athletes and non-athletes [52][53][54][55]. Numerous studies have focused on identifying the reaction time in performing different motor tasks in relation to manual laterality [56][57][58]. A series of studies aimed at identifying the differences between athletes and non-athletes; thus, in a study carried out on a group of football players compared to non-athletes, significant differences were identified regarding the reaction time of moving and hitting the ball [54,55,59].…”

Differences in visuospatial cognition among table tennis players of different skill levels: an event-related potential study

“…The authors interpreted the P3 amplitude to indicate that players may devote more attention resources to memory representations associated with badminton, which is conducive to action anticipation processing speed. In addition, Peng et al (2022) demonstrated that table tennis players had superior spatial cognitive processing and task performance than nonathletes, and that the P3 amplitude was substantially greater in the right hemisphere than the left. This suggests that the advantage of table tennis players is due to the neural activity of the right hemisphere, which is conducive to spatial location processing with attention.…”