EEG Brain Activity At Various Cycling Intensities

Study Overview
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Brief Summary
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The aim of this study is to investigate brain activity with EEG during incremental cycling at various cycling intensities.

Detailed Description
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Increases in EEG power spectra have been found during graded cycling to fatigue linking brain activity to exercise intensity. Additionally, to the activation of the classical motor control regions (e.g.: motor, somatosensory, premotor and supplementary motor cortices and cerebellum), the activation of the regions associated with autonomic regulation (i.e.: insular cortex) during exercise, as well as reduced activation of cognitive-related areas (i.e.: prefrontal cortex), an effect that increased at higher perceived intensities of cycling has been observed. Furthermore, the precentral gyrus and cerebellar vermis, as well as brain areas (e.g.: posterior cingulate cortex (PCC) and precuneus) have been associated with higher levels of perceived exertion as well. Although the results were assessed sing a specially designed compatible fMRI cycling ergometer (Fontes et al., 2020), due to which the brain imaging techniques were limited to static (and horizontal) measurement conditions during cycling, we believe that the present study clearly distinguishes between claims proposed by different theoretical frameworks on brain responses during exercise. Therefore, the aim of this study is to examine the brain activity with EEG during the same incremental protocol, which will allow us to investigate the functioning of surface electrocortical activation patterns during progressive cycling exercise. Furthermore, using the advanced brain image analysis (machine learning techniques and standardized low-resolution electromagnetic tomography - sLORETA) helped us determine the frequency spectrum of brain activity in the same brain areas.

Official Title
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EEG Brain Activity During A Progressive Cycling Protocol

Conditions
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Healthy

Intervention / Treatment
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* Diagnostic Test: Electroencephalography
* Diagnostic Test: Electromyography


Participation Criteria
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Eligibility Criteria
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Inclusion Criteria: Heathy and recreationaly active men No significant muscular, skeleton or nervous system damage Cycloergometry test (positive) Exclusion Criteria: Nervous system disorders Cardiovascular disorders (e.g.: high blood pressure, arrhythmia...) Asthma

Ages Eligible for Study
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Minimum Age: 22 Years
Maximum Age: 40 Years

Sexes Eligible for Study
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Male

Accepts Healthy Volunteers
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Accepts Healthy Volunteers

Study Plan
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How is the study designed?
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Design Details

Primary Purpose: Basic Science
Intervention Model: Single Group Assignment
Masking: Single


Arms and Interventions

| Intervention/Treatment |
| --- |
|Diagnostic Test: Electroencephalography|Electroencephalography is an electrophysiological monitoring method to record electrical activity of the brain.|
|Diagnostic Test: Electromyography|Electromyography is an electrodiagnostic medicine technique for evaluating and recording the electrical activity produced by skeletal muscles. We will use the hdEMG version.|

What is the study measuring?
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Primary Outcome Measures

| Outcome Measure | Measure Description | Time Frame |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Beta band suppression | Reduction of beta is one of the cortical markers which is usually obtained from the central electrodes and occurs with movement initiation. | During the intervention | 

Secondary Outcome Measures

| Outcome Measure | Measure Description | Time Frame |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Brain mapping | Analyzing the change in (de)activated regions of interest (ROI) of the brain between cycling during increasing exercise conditions | During the intervention | 

 Terms related to the study
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Keywords Provided by Centre Hospitalier Valida
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EEG, Brain Imaging, Brain Waves, Cycling, Intensity