The Effect of Perceived Groove in Music on Effective Brain Connectivity during Cycling: An F-NIRS Study

Jiangang Chen; Gaoquan Zhou; Junbo Han; Pei Su; Hongli Zhang; Donghui Tang

doi:10.1249/MSS.0000000000003609

The Effect of Perceived Groove in Music on Effective Brain Connectivity during Cycling: An F-NIRS Study

Med Sci Sports Exerc. 2024 Nov 22. doi: 10.1249/MSS.0000000000003609. Online ahead of print.

Authors

Jiangang Chen¹, Gaoquan Zhou¹, Junbo Han¹, Pei Su¹, Hongli Zhang², Donghui Tang¹

Affiliations

¹ Beijing Normal University, College of Physical Education and Sport, Xinjiekouwai Street, Beijing, CHINA.
² Beijing Sport University, College of Art, Xinxi Street, Beijing, CHINA.

PMID: 39809245
DOI: 10.1249/MSS.0000000000003609

Abstract

Introduction: Perceived groove, a complex and integrated musical characteristic, is considered a core factor in inducing synchronization between movement and music. This study aimed to employ functional near-infrared spectroscopy (fNIRS) to explore the effective connectivity (EC) changes among brain regions during cycling activities under different perceived groove conditions.

Methods: In a randomized crossover design, 18 university students performed 3-min cycling tasks under high (HG) and low (LG) perceived groove music conditions. Revolutions per minute (RPM), coefficient of variation of pedaling cadence (CVPC), and sensorimotor coupling index (SMCI) were measured. Granger causality analyses were performed on the fNIRS data from the cycling task to obtain EC matrices at the brain region and channel (Ch) levels.

Results: The RPM was significantly higher, and CVPC and SMCI were significantly lower in HG than in LG. The EC values of the Brodmann Area (BA) 8→the left prefrontal cortex (lPFC), the superior portion of BA 6 (BA 6_Sup)→lPFC, and BA 1-3→lPFC were significantly higher in HG than in LG. Channel analyses indicated that the EC values of Ch 14→Ch 9, Ch 41→Ch 9, Ch 14→Ch 10, Ch 41→Ch 10, Ch 31→Ch 10, and Ch 35→Ch 23 were significantly higher in HG than in LG. Correlation analysis revealed that the EC values of the channels included in BA 6_Sup→lPFC were significantly correlated with cycling performance metrics.

Conclusions: The EC changes from BA 6_Sup to lPFC may play a critical role in the process through which perceived groove affects the synchronization of cycling to music.