Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation: Theory, Methods, and Applications in Sport, Exercise and Rehabilitation

Join Dr. Dawson Kidgell on Monday, 8th November 2021 for a webinar on  Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation: Theory, Methods, and Applications in Sport, Exercise and Rehabilitation.

Key Learning Objectives:

  • Meaning and clinical importance of TMS-evoked potentials
  • How to measure and interpret single-pulse and paired-pulse evoked-potentials
  • How to measure and interpret cortical, reticulospinal, spinal, and peripheral stimulation
  • Considerations for the measurement of evoked potentials for determining the neuromuscular responses to exercise and rehabilitation

Abstract:
Transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) is a non-invasive brain stimulation technique that utilizes the principles of electromagnetic induction to probe, assess and modulate corticospinal activity. Operating via a coil placed over the scalp, TMS generates magnetic pulses that painlessly penetrate the skull to reach the cortex with very little mitigation. When placed over the motor cortex, the resulting depolarization of underlying pyramidal cells produces a series of action potentials that synapse with lower motoneurones and consequently activate target muscles. The subsequent muscle twitch, recorded by electromyography, directly corresponds to the site of stimulation on the motor cortex. TMS can generate single pulses, paired pulses, or repetitive pulses to assess the excitability of the intracortical circuitry of the motor cortex. Recently TMS has been used to quantify the effect of different modes of exercise on inducing neuroplasticity of the motor cortex. However, contributions from other cortical regions, such as the reticulospinal tract are likely to mediate some of the neural responses to exercise, as well as spinal
contributions, such as H-reflex and lumbar evoked potentials (LEPs). 


The measurement of these responses often needs to normalize the maximal compound muscle action potential. The focus of the presentation will be to demonstrate how exercise scientists can assess the neural adaptations to exercise, with an emphasis on cortical, reticulospinal, and spinal techniques.

Specifically, the presentation will begin by outlining the theoretical principles underlying TMS, as well as the underlying physiology of the evoked responses and how they can be used in exercise interventions. Subsequently, Dawson will highlight some of the different techniques that can be used to record cortical, reticulospinal and spinal responses, including technical considerations. This will be followed by a discussion pertaining to how these responses may change the following exercise and the session will end with example data recorded for each
through PowerLab.


Dr. Dawson Kidgell,  BPhysio(Hons), PhD
Senior Lecturer - Advanced Research Coordinator
Monash University

Dr. Dawson Kidgell's research interests are in the area of the neurophysiology of exercise and he specializes in the technique of Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (TMS) is a non-invasive method of measuring the functional properties (neuroplasticity) of the human brain, in particular the primary motor cortex. Through the use of this technique, Dr. Kidgell has been quantifying the motor cortical responses to strength training. Dr. Kidgell is also interested in the neuromodulatory effects of transcranial direct current stimulation prior to, during and following strength training to facilitate the motor cortical responses to training. Dr. Kidgell uses sophisticated stimulation and electrophysiological recording and analysis techniques to address these issues, which include TMS, tDCS, spinal cord reflex testing, surface electromyography and single motor unit recordings. The overall goal of his research is to understand how the healthy nervous system functions to control movements following a variety of interventions, and how it may be rehabilitated following neuromuscular injury or disease.