General Neural Process in Cycling Exercise

Performance in cycling is frequently related to metabolic or biomechanical factors. Overall, the contribution of the neurophysiological system during cycling is often poorly considered in performance optimization. Yet, cycling is a complex whole-body physical exercise that necessitates specific coordination and fine control of motor output to manage the different intensities. The ability to produce different levels of intensity of exercise would require optimizing many functions of the central nervous system from the brain’s treatment of sensory signals to complex motor command execution via the corticospinal pathway. This review proposes an integrative approach to the factors that could influence cycling performance, based on neurophysiological and cognitive markers. First, we report data relying on brain activity signals, to account for the different brain areas and cognitive functions involved. Then, because the motor command is highly dependent upon its regulation along the corticospinal pathway, we expose the modulation of corticospinal and spinal excitabilities during cycling. We present these later by reviewing the literature of studies using transcranial magnetic or percutaneous nerve stimulations. Finally, we describe a model of neural and cognitive adjustments that occur with acute and chronic cycling practices, with several areas of improvement focusing on these factors, including mental and cognitive training.