Structural Differences in Basal Ganglia of Elite Running Versus Martial Arts Athletes: A Diffusion Tensor Imaging Study

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• Experimental Brain Research

Abstract

The basal ganglia are known to be important for motor sequence learning and automatization. Whether long-term sport-specific training differentially shapes the microstructure of basal ganglia pathways remains underexplored. This study used diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) to compare the white matter integrity of basal ganglia circuits in elite runners (closed-skill, predictable environment) and elite martial arts athletes (open-skill, unpredictable environment) relative to non-athlete controls. Results revealed sport-specific patterns of fractional anisotropy and mean diffusivity in cortico-striatal pathways, with martial arts athletes showing distinct microstructural profiles consistent with enhanced sensorimotor adaptation. These findings support the view that different types of motor expertise — particularly those requiring ongoing environmental monitoring — selectively remodel subcortical motor circuitry.

Citation

Chang, Y.-K., Tsai, J. H.-C., Wang, C.-C., & Chang, E. C. (2015). Structural differences in basal ganglia of elite running versus martial arts athletes: A diffusion tensor imaging study. Experimental Brain Research, 233, 2239–2248.

@article{Chang2015,
  author  = {Chang, Yu-Kai and Tsai, Jack Han-Chao and Wang, Chun-Chih and Chang, Erik Chihhung},
  year    = {2015},
  title   = {Structural Differences in Basal Ganglia of Elite Running Versus Martial Arts Athletes: A Diffusion Tensor Imaging Study},
  journal = {Experimental Brain Research},
  volume  = {233},
  pages   = {2239--2248},
  doi     = {10.1007/s00221-015-4293-x}
}