@article{65934, abstract = {{ Introduction Age-related changes in brain signal complexity are associated with cognitive decline and reduced neural adaptivity in older adults. Exergaming offers a promising prophylactic intervention combining physical and cognitive training. The aim of the present study was to assess how exergaming alters the temporal trajectory of brain signal complexity at rest and during gameplay in older adults. Methods Twenty-eight healthy older adults participated in a 4-week exergaming intervention. Electroencephalography was recorded using 64 electrodes at rest (pre- and post-intervention) and during exergaming (pre-, mid-, and post-intervention). Brain signal complexity was quantified using multiscale entropy across 64 time scales on preprocessed signals. Results Post-intervention resting-state analysis revealed significant reductions at fine and increases at coarse scales in frontal, central, and posterior entropy. During gameplay, entropy declined widespread by mid-intervention, particularly at coarse scales over frontal, central and temporal regions. From mid- to post-intervention, the decline narrowed leaving a net pre-to-post reduction concentrated at coarse scales in these regions. Discussion Resting-state changes indicated a shift toward a younger brain profile, characterized by a transition from age-related increases in local processing to enhanced distributed processing, which may potentially mitigate the rise in neural modularity associated with aging. During gameplay, brain signal complexity decreased in week 2, followed by a modest change by week 4, consistent with the framework in which complexity initially streamlines and then adjusts toward a task-specific optimum. These findings suggest that exergaming can beneficially modulate brain complexity in older adults, offering the potential to reduce age-related neural decline and support healthy brain aging. }}, author = {{Piskin, Daghan Yüksel and Müller, Helen Martha and Skjæret-Maroni, Nina and Vereijken, Beatrix and Baumeister, Jochen}}, issn = {{1663-4365}}, journal = {{Frontiers in Aging Neuroscience}}, publisher = {{Frontiers Media SA}}, title = {{{Rewiring the aging brain: exergaming modulates brain complexity in older adults}}}, doi = {{10.3389/fnagi.2025.1748274}}, volume = {{17}}, year = {{2026}}, } @article{65935, author = {{Piskin, Daghan Yüksel and Cobani, Gjergji and Büchel, Daniel and Lehmann, Tim and Baumeister, Jochen}}, issn = {{0361-9230}}, journal = {{Brain Research Bulletin}}, publisher = {{Elsevier BV}}, title = {{{Brain complexity in motion: Multiscale entropy analysis on mobile EEG data to assess motor performance}}}, doi = {{10.1016/j.brainresbull.2026.111769}}, volume = {{236}}, year = {{2026}}, } @article{59599, abstract = {{Background: Agility is crucial in game sports, requiring both motor and cognitive skills. Athletes must perceive and process information to adapt movements, yet traditional agility tests often lack cognitive and multidirectional demands. Additionally, modern test systems are mostly stationary. This study evaluated the novel and portable “Functional Agility Square Test” (FAST) for validity, reliability, and usefulness. Methods: To assess discriminant validity, 22 game sports (GS) and 22 non-game sports (NGS) athletes participated in one session. Test–retest reliability was examined with 36 GS athletes (20 female) across three sessions. Participants performed cognitive (FAST_COG), preplanned (FAST_MOT), and randomized (FAST_SAT) reactive change-of-direction tasks, each repeated three times per session. Results: Results showed significantly lower response times (RTs) in GS compared to NGS (p < 0.05). Mean RTs indicated moderate relative reliability (ICC 0.50–0.74), while medians showed moderate to good reliability (ICC 0.59–0.83). Usefulness was evident from the first session (FAST_MOT) or from the third session (FAST_SAT) based on median RTs. Conclusions: Thus, the FAST seems to be valid, reliable, and sensitive for GS-based agility assessment. Its portable setup enables ecologically valid field testing. Future research should further increase task complexity to better simulate game conditions.}}, author = {{Müller, Romina Desiree and Büchel, Daniel and Baumeister, Jochen}}, issn = {{2411-5142}}, journal = {{Journal of Functional Morphology and Kinesiology}}, number = {{2}}, publisher = {{MDPI AG}}, title = {{{Validation, Reliability, and Usefulness of the Functional Agility Square Test [FAST]}}}, doi = {{10.3390/jfmk10020126}}, volume = {{10}}, year = {{2025}}, } @article{56185, author = {{Piskin, Daghan Yüksel and Gokeler, Alli and Chen, Yin-Hsuan and Baumeister, Jochen}}, issn = {{0022-2895}}, journal = {{Journal of Motor Behavior}}, number = {{1}}, pages = {{21--30}}, publisher = {{Informa UK Limited}}, title = {{{Development of an Effector-Specific Stop Signal Task with Higher Complexity: A Proof-of-Concept Study}}}, doi = {{10.1080/00222895.2024.2400126}}, volume = {{57}}, year = {{2025}}, } @inproceedings{63565, author = {{Piskin, Daghan Yüksel and Müller, Helen Martha and Nina Skjæret-Maroni, Nina and Vereijken, Beatrix and Baumeister, Jochen}}, location = {{Piran, Slowenien}}, title = {{{Exergaming Rejuvenates Resting-State Brain Complexity and Modulates Adaptability During Gameplay in Older Adults: An EEG Multiscale Entropy Study}}}, year = {{2025}}, } @inproceedings{63564, author = {{Piskin, Daghan Yüksel and Cobani, Gjergji and Lehmann, Tim and Büchel, Daniel and Baumeister, Jochen}}, location = {{Rimini}}, title = {{{Skilled passing in football may regress following an anterior cruciate ligament injury as a result of cortical changes: preliminary EEG evidence}}}, year = {{2025}}, } @article{58238, abstract = {{Abstract Anterior cruciate ligament injuries (ACLi) impact football players substantially leading to performance declines and premature career endings. Emerging evidence suggests that ACLi should be viewed not merely as peripheral injuries but as complex conditions with neurophysiological aspects. The objective of the present study was to compare kicking performance and associated cortical activity between injured and healthy players. Ten reconstructed and 15 healthy players performed a kicking task. Kicking biomechanics were recorded using wearable inertial measurement unit sensors. Cortical activity was captured with a 64-electrode mobile electroencephalography. Multiscale entropy (MSE) analysis of biomechanics revealed increased variability in foot external rotation among injured players. Source-derived event-related spectral perturbations indicated significant differences in posterior alpha and frontal theta oscillations between the two groups. Furthermore, kick-related complexity of these regions as indexed by MSE was reduced in injured players at medium and coarse scales. Our findings suggest sensorimotor changes during kicking in injured players, which may necessitate compensatory strategies involving augmented attention at the cost of processing visuospatial information. This conflict may hinder the integration of task-relevant information across distributed networks. Our study provides preliminary insights into the neurophysiological implications of ACLi within football context and underscores the potential for prospective research.}}, author = {{Piskin, Daghan Yüksel and Cobani, Gjergji and Lehmann, Tim and Büchel, Daniel and Baumeister, Jochen}}, issn = {{2045-2322}}, journal = {{Scientific Reports}}, number = {{1}}, publisher = {{Springer Science and Business Media LLC}}, title = {{{Cortical changes associated with an anterior cruciate ligament injury may retrograde skilled kicking in football: preliminary EEG findings}}}, doi = {{10.1038/s41598-025-86196-4}}, volume = {{15}}, year = {{2025}}, } @article{58925, abstract = {{Abstract Random fluctuations in somatosensory signals affect the ability of effectively coordinating multimodal information pertaining to the postural state during movement. Therefore, this study aimed to investigate the impact of a compliant surface on cortico-cortical causal information flow during multi-joint compound movements. Fifteen healthy adults (7 female / 8 male, 25.9 ± 4.0 years) performed 5 × 20 repetitions of bodyweight squats on firm and compliant surface. Motor behavior was quantified by center of pressure (CoP) displacements, hip movement and the root mean square of the rectus femoris activity. Using source space analysis, renormalized partial directed coherence (rPDC) computed subject-level multivariate effective brain connectivity of sensorimotor nodes. Bootstrap statistics revealed significantly decreased medio-lateral CoP displacement (p < 0.001), significantly increased velocity of medio-lateral hip motion (p < 0.001) as well as significantly lower rectus femoris activity (p < 0.01) in the compliant surface condition. On the cortical level, rPDC showed significantly modulated information flow in theta and beta frequencies for fronto-parietal edges (p < 0.01) only during the concentric phase of the movement. The compliant surface led to increased difficulties controlling hip but not center of pressure motion in the medio-lateral plane. Moreover, a decreased activation of the prime movers accompanied by modulations of effective brain connectivity among fronto-central nodes may point to altered demands on sensorimotor information processing in presence of sensory noise when performing bodyweight squats on compliant surface. Further studies are needed to evaluate a potential benefit for athletic and clinical populations.}}, author = {{Lehmann, Tim and Visser, Anton Samuel and Havers, Tim and Büchel, Daniel and Baumeister, Jochen}}, issn = {{0014-4819}}, journal = {{Experimental Brain Research}}, number = {{4}}, publisher = {{Springer Science and Business Media LLC}}, title = {{{Dynamic modulations of effective brain connectivity associated with postural instability during multi-joint compound movement on compliant surface}}}, doi = {{10.1007/s00221-025-07039-2}}, volume = {{243}}, year = {{2025}}, } @article{58952, abstract = {{Context: Traditional assessments of high-order neurocognitive functions are conducted using pen and paper or computer-based tests; this neglects the complex motor actions athletes have to make in team ball sports. Previous research has not explored the combination of neurocognitive functions and motor demands through complex tasks for team ball sport athletes. The primary aim of the present study was to determine the construct validity of agility-based neurocognitive tests of working memory (WM) and inhibition. Methods: Twenty-seven athletes (5 females; mean age 24.2  [4.7] y; height 183.6 [9.1] cm; body mass 77.5 [11.2] kg) participated in the construct validity assessments that included computer-based tests (working memory capacity and stop-signal reaction time) and sport-specific assessments performed on the SpeedCourt system. Results: Construct validity analysis of sport-specific working memory yielded acceptable construct validity (r = .465, P < .05), whereas the sport-specific stop-signal task resulted in low construct validity (r = .179, P > .05). The poor construct validity results highlight the large variance between computer-based and sport-specific neurocognitive assessments. Conclusion: Sport-specific assessments are more complex and include more degrees of freedom potentially due to athletes’ center of mass displacement during task execution. These findings suggest that future research should focus more on the development of sport-specific assessments. These should include the cognitive and motor demands encountered during practice and competition, not use computer-based/pen and paper assessments for return to play decisions.}}, author = {{Gondwe, Benedict and Heuvelmans, Pieter and Benjaminse, Anne and Büchel, Daniel and Baumeister, Jochen and Gokeler, Alli}}, issn = {{1056-6716}}, journal = {{Journal of Sport Rehabilitation}}, pages = {{1--7}}, publisher = {{Human Kinetics}}, title = {{{Unveiling the Distinctions: Computer Versus Sport-Specific Neurocognitive Tests}}}, doi = {{10.1123/jsr.2024-0304}}, year = {{2025}}, } @article{52631, abstract = {{AbstractFootball is one of the most played sports in the world and kicking with adequate accuracy increases the likelihood of winning a competition. Although studies with different target-directed movements underline the role of distinctive cortical activity on superior accuracy, little is known about cortical dynamics associated with kicking. Mobile electroencephalography is a popular tool to investigate cortical modulations during movement, however, inherent and artefact-related pitfalls may obscure the reliability of functional sources and their activity. The purpose of this study was therefore to describe consistent cortical dynamics underlying target-directed pass-kicks based on test–retest reliability estimates. Eleven participants performed a target-directed kicking task at two different sessions within one week. Electroencephalography was recorded using a 65-channel mobile system and behavioural data were collected including motion range, acceleration and accuracy performance. Functional sources were identified using independent component analysis and clustered in two steps with the components of first and subsequently both sessions. Reliability estimates of event-related spectral perturbations were computed pixel-wise for participants contributing with components of both sessions. The parieto-occipital and frontal clusters were reproducible for the same majority of the sample at both sessions. Their activity showed consistent alpha desyhronization and theta sychnronisation patterns with substantial reliability estimates revealing visual and attentional demands in different phases of kicking. The findings of our study reveal prominent cortical demands during the execution of a target-directed kick which may be considered in practical implementations and provide promising academic prospects in the comprehension and investigation of cortical activity associated with target-directed movements.}}, author = {{Piskin, Daghan Yuksel and Büchel, Daniel and Lehmann, Tim and Baumeister, Jochen}}, issn = {{1871-4080}}, journal = {{Cognitive Neurodynamics}}, keywords = {{Exercise Neuroscience}}, publisher = {{Springer Science and Business Media LLC}}, title = {{{Reliable electrocortical dynamics of target-directed pass-kicks}}}, doi = {{10.1007/s11571-024-10094-0}}, year = {{2024}}, } @inproceedings{54952, author = {{Piskin, Daghan Yüksel and Cobani, Gjergji and Lehmann, Tim and Büchel, Daniel and Baumeister, Jochen}}, location = {{Piran}}, title = {{{MULTISCALE ENTROPY ANALYSIS IN MOBILE EEG: COULD IT HAVE A POTENTIAL USE IN REAL-WORLD SETTINGS?}}}, doi = {{10.1016/j.bbr.2024.115120}}, year = {{2024}}, } @article{59600, author = {{Piskin, Daghan Yüksel and Müller, Romina Desiree and Büchel, Daniel and Lehmann, Tim and Baumeister, Jochen}}, issn = {{0166-4328}}, journal = {{Behavioural Brain Research}}, publisher = {{Elsevier BV}}, title = {{{Behavioral and cortical dynamics underlying superior accuracy in short-distance passes}}}, doi = {{10.1016/j.bbr.2024.115120}}, volume = {{471}}, year = {{2024}}, } @article{57610, abstract = {{IntroductionResistance training (RT) is known to induce both peripheral and central adaptations, resulting in enhanced strength, sports performance, and health benefits. These adaptations are specific to the training stimuli. The acute cortical mechanisms of single sessions resistance exercise (RE) are not yet understood. Therefore, this review investigates the electrocortical activity during acute RE regarding the specific RE stimuli.MethodsA systematic literature search was conducted across three databases, focusing on the acute electrocortical activity associated with the muscle contraction type, load, and volume of RE in healthy young adults.ResultsOut of an initial 1,332 hits, 19 studies were included for data synthesis. The findings from these studies show that the RE load, contraction type, and volume during RE significantly affect brain activity. The current literature exhibits methodological heterogeneity attributed to variations in study quality, differences in the location of cortical sources, the cortical outcome parameter and the use of diverse training interventions.DiscussionDespite inconsistencies in the current literature, this review highlights the need to investigate time and frequency-specific characteristics when examining electrocortical activity during RE. More research is necessary to further explore the acute cortical mechanisms related to resistance exercise. Future research could improve our understanding of acute neural responses to RE and provide insights into mechanism underlying more long-term neuroplastic adaptations to RT.}}, author = {{Visser, Anton Samuel and Piskin, Daghan Yüksel and Büchel, Daniel and Baumeister, Jochen}}, issn = {{2624-9367}}, journal = {{Frontiers in Sports and Active Living}}, publisher = {{Frontiers Media SA}}, title = {{{Electrocortical activity during resistance exercises in healthy young adults—a systematic review}}}, doi = {{10.3389/fspor.2024.1466776}}, volume = {{6}}, year = {{2024}}, } @article{58961, author = {{Büchel, Daniel and Döring, Michael and Baumeister, Jochen}}, issn = {{0264-0414}}, journal = {{Journal of Sports Sciences}}, number = {{12}}, pages = {{1164--1172}}, publisher = {{Informa UK Limited}}, title = {{{The burdens of sitting on the bench – comparison of absolute and relative match physical load between handball players with high and low court time and implications for compensatory training}}}, doi = {{10.1080/02640414.2024.2387928}}, volume = {{42}}, year = {{2024}}, } @article{35533, author = {{Büchel, Daniel and Torvik, Per Øyvind and Lehmann, Tim and Sandbakk, Øyvind and Baumeister, Jochen}}, issn = {{1530-0315}}, journal = {{Medicine & Science in Sports & Exercise}}, keywords = {{Physical Therapy, Sports Therapy and Rehabilitation, Orthopedics and Sports Medicine}}, publisher = {{Ovid Technologies (Wolters Kluwer Health)}}, title = {{{The Mode of Endurance Exercise Influences Changes in EEG Resting State Graphs among High-Level Cross-Country Skiers}}}, doi = {{10.1249/mss.0000000000003122}}, volume = {{Publish Ahead of Print}}, year = {{2023}}, } @article{49636, abstract = {{Abstract Purpose Wearables serve to quantify the on-court activity in intermittent sports such as field hockey (FH). Based on objective data, benchmarks can be determined to tailor training intensity and volume. Next to average and accumulated values, the most intense periods (MIPs) during competitive FH matches are of special interest, since these quantify the peak intensities players experience throughout the intermittent matches. The aim of this study was to retrospectively compare peak intensities between training and competition sessions in a male FH team competing in the first german division. Methods Throughout an 8-week in-season period, 372 individual activity datasets (144 datasets from competitive sessions) were recorded using the Polar Team Pro sensor (Kempele, Finland). MIPs were calculated applying a rolling window approach with predefined window length (1–5 min) and calculated for Total distance, High-Intensity-Running distance (> 16 km/h), Sprinting distance (> 20 km/h) and Acceleration load. Significant differences between training and competition MIPs were analysed through non-parametric statistical tests (P < 0.05). Results Analyses revealed higher MIPs during competition for all considered outcomes (P < 0.001). Effect size estimation revealed strongest effects for sprinting distance (d = 1.89 to d = 1.22) and lowest effect sizes for acceleration load (d = 0.92 to d = 0.49). Conclusion The present findings demonstrate that peak intensities during training do not reach those experienced during competitive sessions in a male FH team. Training routines such as manipulations of court-dimensions and team sizes might contribute to this discrepancy. Coaches should compare training and competition intensities to recalibrate training routines to optimize athletes’ preparation for competition. }}, author = {{Büchel, Daniel and Döring, Michael and Baumeister, Jochen}}, issn = {{2096-6709}}, journal = {{Journal of Science in Sport and Exercise}}, keywords = {{Nutrition and Dietetics, Rehabilitation, Orthopedics and Sports Medicine, Physical Therapy, Sports Therapy and Rehabilitation, Physiology}}, publisher = {{Springer Science and Business Media LLC}}, title = {{{A Comparison of the Most Intense Periods (MIPs) During Competitive Matches and Training Over an 8-Week Period in a Male Elite Field Hockey Team}}}, doi = {{10.1007/s42978-023-00261-w}}, year = {{2023}}, } @article{42966, author = {{Sherman, David A. and Baumeister, Jochen and Stock, Matt S. and Murray, Amanda M. and Bazett-Jones, David M. and Norte, Grant E.}}, issn = {{1530-0315}}, journal = {{Medicine & Science in Sports & Exercise}}, keywords = {{Physical Therapy, Sports Therapy and Rehabilitation, Orthopedics and Sports Medicine}}, publisher = {{Ovid Technologies (Wolters Kluwer Health)}}, title = {{{Weaker Quadriceps Corticomuscular Coherence in Individuals Following ACL Reconstruction during Force Tracing}}}, doi = {{10.1249/mss.0000000000003080}}, volume = {{Publish Ahead of Print}}, year = {{2023}}, } @article{42967, author = {{Büchel, Daniel and Torvik, PØ and Lehmann, Tim and Sandbakk, Ø and Baumeister, Jochen}}, issn = {{0195-9131}}, journal = {{Med Sci Sports Exerc}}, title = {{{The Mode of Endurance Exercise Influences Changes in EEG Resting State Graphs among High-Level Cross-Country Skiers.}}}, year = {{2023}}, } @article{42965, author = {{Sherman, DA and Baumeister, Jochen and Stock, MS and Murray, AM and Bazett-Jones, DM and Norte, GE}}, issn = {{0195-9131}}, journal = {{Med Sci Sports Exerc}}, number = {{3}}, pages = {{440--449}}, title = {{{Inhibition of Motor Planning and Response Selection after Anterior Cruciate Ligament Reconstruction.}}}, volume = {{55}}, year = {{2023}}, } @article{45159, author = {{Sherman, David A. and Baumeister, Jochen and Stock, Matt S. and Murray, Amanda M. and Bazett-Jones, David M. and Norte, Grant E.}}, issn = {{1388-2457}}, journal = {{Clinical Neurophysiology}}, keywords = {{Physiology (medical), Neurology (clinical), Neurology, Sensory Systems}}, pages = {{88--99}}, publisher = {{Elsevier BV}}, title = {{{Brain activation and single-limb balance following anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction}}}, doi = {{10.1016/j.clinph.2023.02.175}}, volume = {{149}}, year = {{2023}}, }