Advances in Motor Control and Neuromotor Interfacing in Sports

Topic Information

Dear Colleagues,

This Topic aims to highlight cutting-edge research in motor control and neuromotor interfacing, with a focus on their applications in sports performance, athletic training, and neurorehabilitation. While motor function is foundational for both everyday activities and elite athletic achievement, traditional rehabilitation often overlooks motor learning principles and the brain’s neuroplastic potential—factors that may explain high re-injury rates and limited long-term recovery. By deepening our understanding of the neurological mechanisms involved in motor control and harnessing emerging technologies, we can significantly enhance both performance and rehabilitation outcomes. This Topic encourages interdisciplinary contributions exploring how neuroscience, biomechanics, sports science, and clinical research intersect to advance both theoretical knowledge and practical applications. We welcome original research articles, reviews, and case studies in areas including, but not limited to the following:

• Neural mechanisms underlying motor coordination and performance in athletes;
• Technological and/or mathematical advances for studying motor function;
• Brain–machine and neuromuscular interfaces in sport science;
• Neuroplasticity and motor learning in sports training;
• Neurological and neuromuscular disorders affecting motor performance in athletes;
• Diagnostic and rehabilitative strategies for motor control impairments;
• Cognitive-motor interactions and sensorimotor integration in athletic performance.

Submissions addressing both healthy and clinical populations are encouraged. Research involving healthy individuals should ideally demonstrate translational potential for understanding, preventing, or treating motor dysfunction in pathological populations. We look forward to your contributions in advancing this exciting field and bridging neuroscience with human movement science in sports.

Dr. Paraskevopoulos Eleftherios
Prof. Dr. Maria Papandreou
Prof. Dr. Dimitris G. Mandalidis
Dr. George M. Pamboris
Topic Editors

Keywords

Participating Journals

Journal Name	Impact Factor	CiteScore	Launched Year	First Decision (median)	APC
Brain Sciences brainsci	3.4	6.0	2011	16.8 Days	CHF 2400	Submit
Neuroglia neuroglia	2.2	2.2	2018	24.5 Days	CHF 1200	Submit
Neurology International neurolint	3.3	4.3	2009	21.8 Days	CHF 1800	Submit
NeuroSci neurosci	1.9	-	2020	24.1 Days	CHF 1200	Submit

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Published Papers (3 papers)

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All Brain Sciences Neuroglia Neurology International NeuroSci

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Open AccessSystematic Review

Non-Invasive Brain Stimulation Techniques and Effects on Neuromodulation and Athletic Performance in Combat Sports: A Systematic Review

by Rafael Pereira Azevedo Teixeira, Vanessa Teixeira Müller, Daniel Rodrigues Lopes, Marcson Love Maquiné de Freitas, Maycon da Cunha Herzog, Dany Alexis Sobarzo Soto, Ciro José Brito and Bianca Miarka

Brain Sci. 2026, 16(10), 1052; https://doi.org/10.3390/brainsci16101052 - 30 Sep 2026

Viewed by 359

Abstract

Background: Non-invasive brain stimulation (NIBS), including transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) and transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS), has emerged as a potential ergogenic strategy for modulating neural activity and enhancing cognitive and physical performance in sports. However, evidence regarding its application in combat sports [...] Read more.

Background: Non-invasive brain stimulation (NIBS), including transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) and transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS), has emerged as a potential ergogenic strategy for modulating neural activity and enhancing cognitive and physical performance in sports. However, evidence regarding its application in combat sports remains limited, heterogeneous, and fragmented. This study aimed to systematically synthesize the effects of NIBS on neuromodulation and cognitive, physical, and psychophysiological performance-related outcomes in combat sport athletes. Although NIBS encompasses several stimulation techniques, the evidence identified in combat sport athletes in this review predominantly involved tDCS. Methods: A systematic review was conducted in accordance with the PRISMA 2020 guidelines and registered in PROSPERO (CRD420251150915). Searches were performed in CAPES, PubMed, Scopus, and SPORTDiscus using predefined keywords related to combat sports and brain stimulation techniques. Studies were included if they involved combat sport athletes and investigated the effects of NIBS on performance-related outcomes. Data extraction included study design, sample characteristics, stimulation protocols, and main findings. Methodological quality was assessed using the Cochrane Risk of Bias 2 (RoB 2) tool for randomized studies and ROBINS-I for non-randomized studies, while certainty of evidence was evaluated using the GRADE framework. Results: Nine studies were included in the final synthesis (eight identified through database searching and one through other methods/manual reference screening), encompassing athletes from taekwondo, judo, boxing, mixed martial arts, fencing, and Brazilian jiu-jitsu. Most studies applied tDCS protocols targeting the primary motor cortex (M1) or the dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (DLPFC), with intensities ranging from 1 to 2 mA and stimulation durations between 10 and 20 min. tDCS demonstrated potential benefits in reaction time, selective attention, memory, and resistance to fatigue, as reflected by increased time to task failure. Additionally, enhancements in neuromuscular activation and reductions in anxiety were observed. However, results were heterogeneous, and some studies reported no significant effects on performance-related variables. Risk-of-bias assessment revealed methodological limitations across studies, and GRADE indicated low-to-very-low certainty of evidence for most outcomes. Conclusions: tDCS may influence selected cognitive, neuromuscular, and fatigue-related outcomes in combat sport athletes; however, the direction and magnitude of these effects are inconsistent across studies. Given the substantial methodological heterogeneity and the low-to-very-low certainty of evidence, no definitive conclusions regarding efficacy or routine practical application can currently be drawn. Further large-scale, standardized, high-quality randomized controlled trials are needed. Full article

(This article belongs to the Topic Advances in Motor Control and Neuromotor Interfacing in Sports)

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24 pages, 1594 KB  

Open AccessSystematic Review

Exploring the Bidirectional Relationship Between Numerical Cognition and Motor Performance: A Systematic Review

by Eliane Rached, Jihan Allaw, Joy Khayat, Hassan Karaki, Ahmad Diab, Antonio Pinti and Ahmad Rifai Sarraj

Brain Sci. 2025, 15(12), 1331; https://doi.org/10.3390/brainsci15121331 - 14 Dec 2025

Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1269

Abstract

Background: Numerical cognition and motor performance rely on overlapping brain systems, yet the extent of their reciprocal interaction remains unclear. This systematic review explores how number processing influences motor execution and how motor activity shapes numerical cognition, emphasizing the neural mechanisms underlying these [...] Read more.

Background: Numerical cognition and motor performance rely on overlapping brain systems, yet the extent of their reciprocal interaction remains unclear. This systematic review explores how number processing influences motor execution and how motor activity shapes numerical cognition, emphasizing the neural mechanisms underlying these associations. Methods: A comprehensive search of Scopus, PubMed, MEDLINE, SPORTDiscus, PsycINFO, and SpringerLink, as well as journal citations and conference proceedings (up to August 2025), identified experimental studies examining the interplay between numerical cognition and motor performance in healthy adults. Both randomized and non-randomized designs were included. Two reviewers independently screened, extracted data, and assessed study quality following PRISMA and Cochrane Risk of Bias guidelines. Results: Twelve studies met the inclusion criteria. Most showed that numerical stimuli facilitated motor responses, with congruent number–movement pairings yielding faster reactions and more efficient kinematics. Mental calculation often enhanced motor output (e.g., force, jump height), though interferences emerged under high cognitive load. Conversely, motor actions consistently biased numerical judgments, aligning with spatial–numerical associations. Conclusions: Evidence suggests a predominant pattern of facilitation, likely reflecting shared networks between cognitive and motor resources. These findings advance theoretical understanding and highlight promising translational applications in education, sport, and neurorehabilitation. Full article

(This article belongs to the Topic Advances in Motor Control and Neuromotor Interfacing in Sports)

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22 pages, 1226 KB  

Open AccessReview

Neurobiology of Dystonia: Review of Genetics, Animal Models, and Neuroimaging

by Jamir Pitton Rissardo, Andrew McGarry, Yiwen Shi, Ana Leticia Fornari Caprara and Ian M. Walker

Brain Sci. 2025, 15(7), 767; https://doi.org/10.3390/brainsci15070767 - 19 Jul 2025

Cited by 4 | Viewed by 3109

Abstract

Over the past decade, substantial progress has been made in understanding the pathophysiology of dystonia. The number of identified genes has surged—exceeding 400 by 2024—with approximately 76.6% linked to neurodevelopmental disorders. Despite this, the genetic diagnostic yield remains modest (12–36%), and many newly [...] Read more.

Over the past decade, substantial progress has been made in understanding the pathophysiology of dystonia. The number of identified genes has surged—exceeding 400 by 2024—with approximately 76.6% linked to neurodevelopmental disorders. Despite this, the genetic diagnostic yield remains modest (12–36%), and many newly discovered genes have yet to reveal novel mechanistic insights. The limited number of studies exploring dystonia-related pathways in animal models restricts the generalizability of findings to human disease, raising concerns about their external validity. Developing experimental models remains a challenge, particularly given the importance of critical developmental windows—periods during central nervous system maturation when disruptions can have lasting effects. Some models also exhibit delayed symptom onset, prompting a shift toward faster-developing organisms such as Drosophila. There is a pressing need for standardized, scalable protocols that enable precise evaluation of specific neural tissues. Advances in neuroimaging have improved our understanding of dystonia-related brain networks at both regional and whole-brain levels. The emerging concept of “network kernels” has provided new perspectives on brain connectivity. However, future imaging studies should incorporate effective connectivity analyses to distinguish between hemodynamic and neuronal contributions and to clarify neurobiological pathways. This review synthesizes current knowledge from genetics, animal models, and neuroimaging to present an integrated view of dystonia’s neurobiological underpinnings. Full article

(This article belongs to the Topic Advances in Motor Control and Neuromotor Interfacing in Sports)

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