Neuroplasticity and skateboarding...

[skategeezer]

Ok, stay with me on this folks...it's pretty cool...

Firstly, let me state that I have somewhat of understanding of what this topic is about...but for those of you who have never heard of it, check this description from wikipedia...I bolded the KEY parts...

Neuroplasticity (variously referred to as brain plasticity, cortical plasticity or cortical re-mapping) refers to the changes that occur in the organization of the brain as a result of experience. The coining of the term plasticity in regards to neuronal process is attributed to Polish neuroscientist Jerzy Konorski. [1]

The concept of neuroplasticity pushes the boundaries of the brain areas that are still re-wiring in response to changes in environment. Several decades ago, the consensus was that lower brain and neocortical areas were immutable after development, whereas areas related to memory formation, such as the hippocampus and dentate gyrus, where new neurons continue to be produced into adulthood, were highly plastic.[2]

Hubel and Wiesel had demonstrated that ocular dominance columns in the lowest neocortical visual area, V1, were largely immutable after the critical period in development.[3] Critical periods also were studied with respect to language; the resulting data suggested that sensory pathways were fixed after the critical period. However, studies determined that environmental changes could alter behavior and cognition by modifying connections between existing neurons and via neurogenesis in the hippocampus and other parts of the brain, including the cerebellum[4].

Decades of research have now shown that substantial changes occur in the lowest neocortical processing areas, and that these changes can profoundly alter the pattern of neuronal activation in response to experience. According to the theory of neuroplasticity, thinking, learning, and acting actually change both the brain's physical structure, or anatomy, and functional organization, or physiology from top to bottom. Neuroscientists are presently engaged in a reconciliation of critical period studies demonstrating the immutability of the brain after development with the new findings on neuroplasticity which reveal the mutability of both structural and functional aspects. A substantial paradigm shift is now under way: Canadian psychiatrist Norman Doidge has in fact stated that neuroplasticity is "one of the most extraordinary discoveries of the twentieth century."[5]


What does this mean for skateboarding?

Could it explain why at 44, I feel like a teenager?

[lollygag]

No.. I think its cause at this point were going backwards.. in another 30 years you'll feel like a 10 year old.. another 10.. 5..4.. 3

[winstonsmith]

In running they say to offroad train because it builds auxiliary muscle groups and neural pathways. The constant weight shifting/balancing involved with skateboarding would, I imagine, have similar benefit.

Learning skating techniques and tricks are like learning to play a musical instrument or a foreign language, imo. mind/body type ####.

[Alpha06]

Its almost impossible to state whether the physical aspect of skateboarding has any effect on neural pathways and the neurological functioning of the brain. However, as mentioned above, cognitive functions are in fact exercised when learning new tricks/methods, and they might very well have a profound effect on the neural pathways existing in the brain. Then again I am starting to think all this adrenaline from skating is making me kinda stupid.

[Gimoe]

When i have a skate before a school exam i always seem to do better. it wakes my brain up I guess? I hope.

Probably because I don't want to get hit by a car coming down my schools driveway or maybe the balance thing is good brain exercise?

[enemy combatant]

Probably because I don't want to get hit by a car coming down my schools driveway

Nothing like a little adrenalin rush to clear out the cobwebs in your brain!

[SteveC]

Its almost impossible to state whether the physical aspect of skateboarding has any effect on neural pathways and the neurological functioning of the brain. However, as mentioned above, cognitive functions are in fact exercised when learning new tricks/methods, and they might very well have a profound effect on the neural pathways existing in the brain. Then again I am starting to think all this adrenaline from skating is making me kinda stupid.

Simply getting better at anything is proof that pathways have changed.

I'm reminded of a "you know you're a longboarder when" post where someone commented about keeping your footing on a bus/train while everyone else is trying to find something to hold on to.

[enemy combatant]

I'm reminded of a "you know you're a longboarder when" post where someone commented about keeping your footing on a bus/train while everyone else is trying to find something to hold on to.

Haha. That's pretty funny, I do that all the time!!!

[zionboard]

Reversing your question, seems to offer a more plausible answer to your question:
you skate because you feel like a teenager (instead of feeling as a teenager because you skate).

Regarding neuroplasticity, you could state "skating makes my brain younger", but that's about it.
The neurological changes of repeated complex excercise such as skating, will affect the neurological pathways in the cerrebellum (known as muscle memory) - which has nothing to do with emotional regulation.
The only neurological link with emotions that I can think of, is the correlation between changes in body fat (due to exercise) and hormonal secration (via the hypothalamus), but the hormonal interactions are so complex that one cannot simplify it to "skating makes me feel younger".

[skategeezer]

that's where I thought the discussion would go...skateboarding MUST have some affect on your brain...especially when it comes to balance...

paging a neuro scientist!

[enemy combatant]

one cannot simplify it to "skating makes me feel younger".

I can and I shall: Skating makes me feel younger!

[Buddywolfe]

Skating wakes me up,
I have to skate about 2 miles to and from school, usually by the end of the day I am really tired but getting on my board and riding brings me back. When I ride the bus I stay tired and groggy.

[zionboard]

I can and I shall: Skating makes me feel younger!

You're totally right, but relating that to neuroplasiticity is another thing!