White matter network plasticity elicited by juggle learning in soccer: a longitudinal study

Motor learning is central to human adaptive behaviour. This study explored behavioural and neural changes during acquisition of a complex visuomotor skill (soccer juggling). We recruited 111 participants, assigning them to a 10-week juggling intervention group or a non-training control group. Using MRI and graph theory, we analysed white matter network changes at pre-test (T0), mid-term (T1), and post-test (T2). Results indicated that, relative to the control group, the intervention group exhibited a significant increase in global efficiency and a significant decrease in the shortest path length of the white matter network during the later learning stage (T1-T2). Conversely, during the early learning stage (T0-T1), the intervention group demonstrated no significant changes in global efficiency and shortest path length. Furthermore, the control group demonstrated a significant decrease in nodal efficiency of ORBmid.L at T0-T2 and T1-T2, whereas the intervention group showed no significant changes in this marker. Additionally, the intervention group demonstrated increased nodal degree centrality in SPG.R at T0-T1 and T0-T2, whereas controls exhibited significant declines. These findings demonstrate that extended soccer juggling training drives changes in network topology involving frontal and parietal white matter regions, particularly during late-stage skill consolidation. The study advances current knowledge by identifying temporally distinct phases of neuroplasticity, emphasising the critical role of sustained practice in optimising brain network efficiency for complex motor skill mastery.