The influence of marathon running on resting-state EEG activity: a longitudinal observational study

• Published in: European journal of applied physiology 2024-04, Vol.124 (4), p.1311-1321
• Main Authors: Moussiopoulou, Joanna, Pross, Benjamin, Handrack, Mirjam, Keeser, Daniel, Pogarell, Oliver, Halle, Martin, Falkai, Peter, Scherr, Johannes, Hasan, Alkomiet, Roeh, Astrid
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Biomedical and Life Sciences; Biomedicine; EEG; Electroencephalography; Exercise; Human Physiology; Marathons; Neuromodulation; Neuroplasticity; Occupational Medicine/Industrial Medicine; Original; Original Article; Physical activity; Physical fitness; Physical training; Sports Medicine
• ISSN: 1439-6319; 1439-6327
• DOI: 10.1007/s00421-023-05356-4

Physical activity (PA) has positive effects on various health aspects and neuronal functions, including neuronal plasticity. Exceeding a certain exercise frequency and duration has been associated with negative effects. Our study investigated the effects of excessive PA with a marathon run (MA) and regular PA (training and recovery phases) on electrocortical activity, as measured by electroencephalography (EEG). Thirty healthy marathon runners (26 male, 45 ± 9 yrs) were enrolled in the study. Four resting-state 32 channel EEG recordings were conducted: 12–8 weeks before MA (T-1), 14–4 days prior to MA (T0), 1–6 days after (T2), and 13–15 weeks after MA (T3). Power spectrum analyses were conducted using standardized Low-Resolution Electromagnetic Tomography (sLORETA) and included the following frequency bands: delta (1.5–6 Hz), theta (6.5–8.0 Hz), alpha1 (8.5–10 Hz), alpha2 (10.5–12.0 Hz), beta1 (12.5–18.0 Hz), beta2 (18.5–21.0 Hz), beta3 (21.5–30.0 Hz), and total power (1.5-30 Hz). Statistical nonparametric mapping showed reduced power both in the alpha-2 (log-F ratio = − 0.705, threshold log-F ratio =  ± 0.685, p