Understanding the mechanisms subserving expertise: transference of domain-specific skill to domain-general cognitive ability

研究精英表现的神经基础的兴趣越来越大。正如在熟练运动员中观察到的那样，对运动技能的调查提出了这样的问题：上级认知-知觉技能（即，特定领域的技能）可以转移到更一般领域的认知任务（例如，注意力，执行功能）。有一些证据表明，运动员在处理速度、注意力和执行功能等领域的一般认知测试中表现优于新手/非运动员。然而，研究结果是混合的，并受到比较组的可变性，缺乏运动专业知识的客观措施，以及所选择的结果测量的敏感性的限制。本研究的主要目的是：1.确定认知运动整合技能（通过认知运动整合的客观测量）是否随运动需求而增加（研究1）; 2.确定认知运动整合技能是否与需要注意和执行控制的领域一般任务的更好表现有关（研究1）。3.探讨认知运动整合技能是否与促进领域一般认知表现的功能性脑网络中的静息状态改变相关（研究2）。这项研究计划将填补我们理解的关键知识空白（i）与运动员体育训练相关的潜在神经和认知相关性;以及（ii）特定领域训练对一般认知功能的普遍性。这项工作将在运动相关的认知神经科学领域提供基本的机械知识。它将为未来的认知和运动训练计划的发展提供信息，这些计划旨在提高精英运动员和健康的非运动员人群的表现。

There is a growing interest in examining the neural underpinning of elite performance. Investigations into motor expertise, as observed in skilled athletes, have raised questions of whether superior cognitive-perceptual skills (i.e., a domain-specific skill) can transfer to more domain-general cognitive tasks (e.g., attention, executive function). There is some evidence that athletes outperform novice/non-athletes on domain-general cognitive tests of processing speed, aspects of attention, and executive function. However, findings have been mixed and limited by the variability in comparison groups, the lack of objective measures of motor expertise, and the sensitivity of the outcome measurements selected. The main objectives of the research program are: 1.To determine whether cognitive motor integration expertise (as measured by objective measures of cognitive motor integration) increases depending on sport demands (Study 1) 2.To determine whether cognitive motor integration expertise relates to better performance on domain-general tasks requiring attention and executive control (Study 1). 3.To examine whether cognitive motor integration expertise is associated with altered resting-state across functional brain networks that facilitate domain-general cognitive performance (Study 2). This research program will fill key knowledge gaps in our understanding of (i) the underlying neural and cognitive correlates associated with physical training in athletes; and (ii) the generalizability of domain-specific training to domain-general cognitive functioning. This work will provide foundational mechanistic knowledge in the field of sport-related cognitive neuroscience. It would inform the development of future cognitive and motor training programs targeting improved performance in elite athletes, and healthy non-athlete populations.