Prolonged Rock Climbing Activity Induces Structural Changes in Cerebellum and Parietal Lobe
(Hum Brain Mapp. 2012 Apr 21 [Epub Ahead of print]). Di Paola M, Caltragirone C, Petrosini L
Prepared by Matthew Stewart, MD, University of Utah Emergency Medicine Resident, Salt Lake City, UT, USA
Rock climbing is a complex motor activity involving strength, balance, and visual-motor coordination. The cerebellum has been shown to play an essential role in motor learning. Using magnetic resonance imaging, this study evaluated cerebellar volume differences among 10 world-class mountain climbers vs 10 age-matched control subjects with no climbing experience. The mountain climbers had significantly larger cerebellar volumes, specifically in vermian lobules I–V (0.55 cm3 vs 0.49 cm3). This area of the brain is known to be involved with dexterous finger and hand movements and correction of visuomotor errors. Additionally, mountain climbers had an enlarged right posteromedial parietal lobe, which plays an important role in vision and proprioception. Limitations of the study include the small sample size and inability to determine causality between cerebellar size and mountain climbing ability. The authors conclude that long-term motor training while rock climbing is associated with macrostructural changes in the cerebellum.