Cerebellum is a key structure involved in motor learning and coordination. In animal models, motor skill learning increased the volume of molecular layer and the number of synapses on Purkinje cells in the cerebellar cortex. The aim of this study is to investigate whether the analogous change of cerebellar volume occurs in human population who learn specialized motor skills and practice them intensively for a long time. Magnetic resonance image (MRI)-based cerebellar volumetry was performed in basketball players and matched controls with V-works image software. Total brain volume, absolute and relative cerebellar volumes were compared between two groups. There was no significant group difference in the total brain volume, the absolute and the relative cerebellar volume. Thus we could not detect structural change in the cerebellum of this athlete group in the macroscopic level.
Neuronal Plasticity ; Motor Skills/physiology ; Models, Anatomic ; Male ; Magnetic Resonance Imaging ; Humans ; Cerebellum/*anatomy & histology/physiology ; Basketball/*physiology ; Animals ; Adult

The effects of oligosaccharide and creatine (Cr) supplementation on glucose, lactic acid and urea nitrogen levels in blood and activity of serum creatine kinase (CK) were explored. Twenty CUBA male athletes were divided into 4 groups: group A (supplementation of Cr alone), group B (supplementation of oligosaccharide), group C (supplementation of oligosaccharide and Cr) and group D (placebo control group). By using orthogonal L4 table (2(3)), the experiment was performed. There were factors including oligosaccharide (carbohydrate, CHO), Cr and their correlation. Each factor had two levels: supplementation and no-supplementation. The results showed that the supplementation of CHO or Cr alone, combined supplementation of CHO and Cr could significantly reduce the glucose, urea nitrogen levels in blood and serum CK activity after competition in the athletes. Moreover, the effects of combined supplementation of CHO and Cr were more satisfactory. It was concluded that supplementation of CHO and Cr could promote the recovery of physical performance and athletic abilities after athletics in basketball athletes.
Athletes ; Basketball/*physiology ; Blood Glucose/*metabolism ; Blood Urea Nitrogen ; Creatine/*administration & dosage ; Creatine Kinase/*blood ; Dietary Supplements ; Oligosaccharides/*administration & dosage ; Young Adult