Clinical Pilates in Practice: Neuroplasticity & Motor Learning in Sport

This is a brief summary of neuronal plasticity and motor learning, particularly as it pertains to physical activity.

Minino, Roberta, Patrizia Belfiore, Marianna Liparoti (2020): Neuroplasticity and motor learning in sport activity, Journal of Physical Education and Sport; DOI: 10.7752/jpes.2020.s4318.

Key Points: Neuroplasticity & Motor Learning In Sport

• Motor learning is defined as the ability to acquire new motor actions or new movement patterns.

• Cortical reorganization can be used for motor learning; the process follows a path consisting of two phases: unmasking and strengthening preexisting conditions, and creating new connections.

• In motor learning, the transition from coarse movement to a precise execution has three phases:

  → Cognitive phase: Understanding the purpose of the action to be acquired and how to perform it.

  → Associative phase: Structuring movements and finalizing the motor sequence.

  → Automation phase: Automation of motor sequences, even during complex conditions.

  Physical activities are experience-dependent conditions that significantly contribute to cortical reorganization of the neural network and therefore also to neuronal plasticity.

• Neuronal circuits known as mirror neurons, which are activated when motor gesture is performed, can also be activated when a motor gesture is observed or imagined.

• (Therefore combining physical and mental training can help to acquire and improve a motor task.)

• Plasticity is a fundamental and persistent state of the neuronal system, allowing activation of various mechanisms for adaptive responses and environmental novelty.

• The main subcortical structures that play a role during motor learning are the cerebellum and striated nucleus; the cerebellum in first phase of acquisition, and the striatum in determining the correct type of.

• Anatomical changes usually take place during initial stages of practice, which results in an increase in grey matter.

• Increases in grey matter are generally accepted to be correlated with improved motor performance.

Clinical Pilates in Practice

• Support client learning by identifying which phase of motor learning they are experiencing, and adapt appropriately.

• Incorporate imagery mental task practice with clients, to facilitate their learning of a motor skill; don't just rely on imagery, which can also be important for understanding and learning.

References

1. Jäncke, L. (2009b). The plastic human brain. Restorative Neurology and Neuroscience, 27(5), 521–538

2. May, A., & Gaser, C. (2006). Magnetic resonance-based morphometry: A window into structural plasticity of the brain. Current Opinion in Neurology, 19(4), 407–411. https://doi.org/10.1097/01.wco.0000236622.91495.21