Long-term physical exercise is known to induce changes in brain plasticity. While extensive research has examined the effects of aerobic exercise, basketball, and badminton on brain plasticity in college students, the impact of combat sports on brain function remains underexplored. Combat sports, due to their high intensity and mental demands, may have unique effects on neuroplasticity. This study aims to investigate the influence of combat sports participation on brain function in university students, addressing a gap in the current literature. Method: This study comprised three groups: an experimental group of 14 students (8M/6F, 20.9 ± 2.3 years) practicing combat sports (Taekwondo, Judo, Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, Chinese kickboxing, Muay Thai) for 2.4 ± 0.9 years; an aerobic group of 15 students (9M/6F, 22.0 ± 2.3 years) with 2.2 ± 1.0 years of experience; and a sedentary control group of 17 students (7M/10F, 20.3 ± 1.2 years). Brain imaging data were acquired using a Philips scanner, with T1WI capturing structural signals and EPI sequences acquiring resting-state BOLD signals. The data were preprocessed using RestPlus12 software, followed by the calculation of fractional Amplitude of low-frequency fluctuations (fALFF). Based on previous research, regions of interest (ROIs) were defined in the left premotor cortex (PMC), supplementary motor area (SMA), dorsal premotor cortex (dPMC), mid temporal gyrus (MTG), and bilateral hippocampus (Hipp). The fALFF signals from these ROIs were extracted for statistical analysis. A one-way ANOVA was first conducted to compare the three groups, followed by pairwise comparisons using t-tests. The ANOVA revealed significant differences among three groups in PMC (F = 13.509, p 0.00), dPMC (F = 5.809, p = 0.006), MTG (F = 5.013, p = 0.011), HippL (F = 10.338, p 0.00). The Combat group exhibited significantly higher fALFF than the controls in the left PMC (p < 0.001), SMA (p = 0.05), dPMC (p = 0.008), and MTG (p = 0.004). Additionally, compared to the aerobic group, the Combat group demonstrated higher fALFF in the left dPMC (p < 0.001), while lower fALFF in the HippL (p = 0.017). The current findings suggest that long-term participation in combat sports leads to functional reorganization and optimization in brain regions related to motor planning, coordination, and execution in college students. Additionally, its effects on brain areas associated with motor control appear to be more favorable than those observed with aerobic exercise alone.
Zhang et al. (Thu,) studied this question.