Principles of Exercise Neuroscience

Book excerpt: It is well-established that the human nervous system is able to modify its functions in response to activity or experience. This response has been termed ‘neuroplasticity’ and involves the reorganisation of neural circuits that control human movement. Recent evidence suggests that the primary motor cortex (M1) can experience neuroplasticity following various types of physical activity. Although neuroplasticity can be stimulated in a variety of ways, recently, it has been reported following exercise, injury and during periods of rehabilitation. This book introduces the key concepts that underpin human motor control and its application to exercise science and rehabilitation. The topics covered here integrate research, theory and the clinical applications of exercise neuroscience that will support students, researchers and clinicians to understand how the nervous system responds, or adapts, to physical activity, training, rehabilitation and disease. The book uses a mix of neuromuscular physiology, electrophysiology and muscle physiology to provide a synthesis of current knowledge and research in the field of exercise neuroscience that specifically examines the effects of exercise training, injury and rehabilitation of the human nervous system. This is the first textbook of its kind that describes the neurological benefits of exercise, and will be a highly valuable text for undergraduate students studying exercise science, exercise physiology and physiotherapy.