ABSTRACT
An explosion of research over the past decade has clearly established that changes in both brain physiology and anatomy underpin the learning of new, and the modification of existing, motor skills. Although we are still discovering precisely what changes in the brain are associated with specific motor behaviors, the concept of a dynamically changing or “neuroplastic” brain that supports motor learning is now unquestioned. In this chapter we highlight key discoveries in neurophysiology that elucidate how brain function shapes motor learning; these discoveries span animal models to human research. We focus on three main areas of work that have particular relevance for the acquisition of motor skill in sport. First, we discuss the physiological mechanisms involved in the induction of long-term changes in the brain that enable us to store and retrieve memories for later use. Second, we review the neurophysiology associated with short-term, within-session change in motor behavior (i.e., performance) and long-term, more permanent change in the capability for responding (i.e., motor learning). In conjunction with this discussion, we consider what neural regions are associated with the varied stages of motor learning. Finally, we take into account how networks of brain regions act in concert to support motor skill learning.
