TY - JOUR
T1 - Neural representations and the cortical body matrix
T2 - implications for sports medicine and future directions.
AU - Wallwork, SB
AU - Bellan, V
AU - Catley, MJ
AU - Moseley, GL
N1 - Published by the BMJ Publishing Group Limited. For permission to use (where not already granted under a licence) please go to http://www.bmj.com/company/products-services/rights-and-licensing/
PY - 2016/8/1
Y1 - 2016/8/1
N2 - Neural representations, or neurotags, refer to the idea that networks of brain cells, distributed across multiple brain areas, work in synergy to produce outputs. The brain can be considered then, a complex array of neurotags, each influencing and being influenced by each other. The output of some neurotags act on other systems, for example, movement, or on consciousness, for example, pain. This concept of neurotags has sparked a new body of research into pain and rehabilitation. We draw on this research and the concept of a cortical body matrix-a network of representations that subserves the regulation and protection of the body and the space around it-to suggest important implications for rehabilitation of sports injury and for sports performance. Protective behaviours associated with pain have been reinterpreted in light of these conceptual models. With a particular focus on rehabilitation of the injured athlete, this review presents the theoretical underpinnings of the cortical body matrix and its application within the sporting context. Therapeutic approaches based on these ideas are discussed and the efficacy of the most tested approaches is addressed. By integrating current thought in pain and cognitive neuroscience related to sports rehabilitation, recommendations for clinical practice and future research are suggested.
AB - Neural representations, or neurotags, refer to the idea that networks of brain cells, distributed across multiple brain areas, work in synergy to produce outputs. The brain can be considered then, a complex array of neurotags, each influencing and being influenced by each other. The output of some neurotags act on other systems, for example, movement, or on consciousness, for example, pain. This concept of neurotags has sparked a new body of research into pain and rehabilitation. We draw on this research and the concept of a cortical body matrix-a network of representations that subserves the regulation and protection of the body and the space around it-to suggest important implications for rehabilitation of sports injury and for sports performance. Protective behaviours associated with pain have been reinterpreted in light of these conceptual models. With a particular focus on rehabilitation of the injured athlete, this review presents the theoretical underpinnings of the cortical body matrix and its application within the sporting context. Therapeutic approaches based on these ideas are discussed and the efficacy of the most tested approaches is addressed. By integrating current thought in pain and cognitive neuroscience related to sports rehabilitation, recommendations for clinical practice and future research are suggested.
KW - Assessment
KW - Exercise rehabilitation
KW - Rehabilitation
KW - Sporting injuries
KW - Professional Practice/trends
KW - Humans
KW - Touch Perception/physiology
KW - Forecasting
KW - Sports Medicine/trends
KW - Neuronal Plasticity/physiology
KW - Return to Sport/physiology
KW - Athletic Injuries/physiopathology
KW - Cerebral Cortex/physiology
KW - Nerve Net/physiology
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=84981314724&partnerID=8YFLogxK
UR - http://www.mendeley.com/research/neural-representations-cortical-body-matrix-implications-sports-medicine-future-directions
U2 - 10.1136/bjsports-2015-095356
DO - 10.1136/bjsports-2015-095356
M3 - Article
C2 - 26682866
SN - 0306-3674
VL - 50
SP - 990
EP - 996
JO - British Journal of Sports Medicine
JF - British Journal of Sports Medicine
IS - 16
ER -