Effect of Physical Exercise on Motor Learning Acquired With Physical or Mental Practice

Motor learning is crucial for human daily routine, involving the acquisition of new movements. It consists of an online acquisition phase followed by offline consolidation, where motor memory is organized into stable representations. Acquisition can be achieved through physical practice (PP, overt repetition of movement) or mental rehearsal using motor imagery (MI). Recent studies suggest that high-intensity interval physical exercise (HIIE) enhances motor learning, particularly during consolidation, by promoting neural plasticity mediated by brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF). However, the impact of HIIE on sequential motor consolidation with PP or MI remains poorly understood. In contrast, sleep deprivation (SD) reduces BDNF release and neural plasticity. Limited research has explored the effects of SD on motor acquisition, especially sequential motor learning. Considering the opposing effects of HIIE and SD, performing HIIE after SD may protect motor consolidation processes. This study aims to examine the influence of HIIE on sequential motor learning using PP or MI under both sleep-deprived and normal sleep conditions. Six groups, each comprising 12 participants, will learn an 8-item bimanual sequence. * MI group: acquired the motor sequence mentally during training * MI+HIIE group: acquired the motor sequence mentally and achieve a HIIE before the consolidation * PP: acquired the motor sequence physically * PP+HIIE group: acquired the motor sequence physically and achieve a HIIE before the consolidation * SD+PP group: one night of sleep deprivation prior physical motor acquisition with PP and consolidation * SD+PP+HIIE group: one night of sleep deprivation prior physical motor acquisition and HIIE before consolidation. All groups will be tested on the sequence at the beginning and the end of the acquisition phase (pre- and post-acquisition), and after the physical exercise (i.e. HIIE) or the rest period (post-exercise). Hypothesis of this study are :