Neurophysiological Foundations and Neuroplastic Adaptations of Sports Performance
Öz
Purpose: This narrative review aimed to examine the neuroanatomical and neurophysiological mechanisms underlying sports performance, with particular emphasis on neuroplasticity, motor control, corticospinal adaptations, proprioception, mental fatigue, visuomotor processing, autonomic regulation, and emerging neurodiagnostic technologies. Method: Relevant literature published between 2009 and 2025 was reviewed using evidence from exercise neuroscience, motor control, neurophysiology, sports science, and neuroimaging research. The review focused on studies investigating neural adaptations associated with physical training, fatigue, motor learning, sensorimotor integration, perceptual-cognitive function, and neurophysiological assessment in sport and exercise settings. Results: Current evidence indicates that sports performance is regulated through interactions among cortical motor regions, cerebellar and basal ganglia networks, corticospinal pathways, spinal circuitry, and proprioceptive systems. Exercise and training induce neuroplastic adaptations with altered corticospinal excitability, improved neural drive, enhanced sensorimotor integration, and refined motor unit recruitment. Mental and central fatigue may negatively affect endurance performance, skill execution, attentional control, and perceived effort regulation. Elite athletic performance may be associated with enhanced neural efficiency, faster visuomotor processing, and improved anticipatory control. Conclusion: Sports performance should be understood not merely as a muscular or metabolic outcome, but as an integrated neurobiological process involving neural, physiological, cognitive, and autonomic systems. A neuroscience-informed perspective may contribute to improved training prescription, fatigue management, rehabilitation, recovery monitoring, and performance optimization.
Anahtar Kelimeler
Etik Beyan
Kaynakça
- André, N., Audiffren, M., & Englert, C. (2025). Brain endurance training as a strategy for reducing mental fatigue. Frontiers in Psychology, 16, 1616171. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyg.2025.1616171
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- Dingirdan Gultekinler, B., Uzlasir, S., Işıkdemir, E., Bayrakcı Tunay, V., & Wikstrom, E. A. (2025). The effects of stroboscopic vision training on physical performance in athletes: A systematic review. BMC Sports Science, Medicine & Rehabilitation, 18(1), 78. https://doi.org/10.1186/s13102-025-01459-x
- Dinoff, A., Herrmann, N., Swardfager, W., & Lanctôt, K. L. (2017). The effect of acute exercise on blood concentrations of brain-derived neurotrophic factor in healthy adults: A meta-analysis. European Journal of Neuroscience, 46(1), 1635–1646. https://doi.org/10.1111/ejn.13603
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Ayrıntılar
Birincil Dil
Türkçe
Konular
Egzersiz Fizyolojisi
Bölüm
Derleme
Yazarlar
Yayımlanma Tarihi
30 Haziran 2026
Gönderilme Tarihi
7 Mayıs 2026
Kabul Tarihi
29 Haziran 2026
Yayımlandığı Sayı
Yıl 2026 Cilt: 10 Sayı: 1