Neural signature of the (in)ability to turn physical activity intentions into actions

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What if a fundamental principle of evolution that leads us to minimize effort had been neglected in the neuropsychology of physical activity behavior? While the rewarding value of physical activity has been widely studied, behaviors minimizing physical effort have been neglected in this regard. Yet, effort minimization has been critical during evolution. Moreover, this principle has been evidenced in multiple domains such as motor control, biomechanics, and evolutionary biology. Therefore, it is difficult to conceive of physical effort minimization differently than as an essential factor in the regulation of physical activity behavior. Within the scope of my program, theoretical and experimental work has already been initiated and supports the automatic attraction to effort minimization in physical activity. To further test this hypothesis, the objectives of this grant cycle are to investigate i) whether reward-related brain activity is associated with the automatic attraction towards physical effort minimization, ii) whether neural processes counteract this automatic attraction, and iii) which factors influence the aforementioned association and processes (e.g., sex, age, reward sensitivity, recent and real-time energy expenditure). To ensure that the constructs under investigation are exclusively related to physical effort variations, an associative conditioning paradigm will be conducted to systematically associate neutral geometrical figures with different effort patterns: increasing, decreasing, and constant. The resulting conditioned stimuli will be used in neurobehavioral paradigms crossing neuroimaging and neurostimulation techniques with behavioral tasks assessing the automatic evaluation of effort-related cues. Findings from this grant cycle will contribute to the long-term objectives of the program aiming at modifying the mechanisms supporting the automatic attraction towards effort minimization through training. During this grant cycle, a diverse and inclusive group of undergraduate and graduate highly qualified personnel will be trained to i) conceive robust neurobehavioral experimental paradigms, ii) generate knowledge and develop expertise in behavioral methods related to the psychology of physical activity and the physiology of exercise, iii) collect and analyze neuroimaging and neurophysiological data (electroencephalography, magnetic resonance imaging, transcranial magnetic stimulation), iv) conduct and understand advanced statistics (e.g., mixed effects models), and v) gain advanced scientific writing skills. Knowledge that will emerge from the conceptual and methodological innovations of this program merging neuroscience, psychology, and physiology will significantly enhance our understanding of the brain processes governing the automatic evaluation of effort-related stimuli, which will ultimately lead to a better understanding of the mechanisms underlying the (in)ability to turn physical activity intentions into actions.