To examine regional metabolic changes in the human brain induced by moderate running in upright posture. Regional brain changes in glucose uptake induced by running were examined by comparing brain images obtained by positron emission tomography (PET) and 18F-fluorodeoxyglucose ([¹⁸F]-FDG). Subjects were 16 healthy male volunteers. They were divided at random into two groups, those who ran 4-5 km and the others sat in the room. Differences in regional cerebral glucose uptake between runners and control groups were assessed statistically.
　Running was associated with a relative increase of glucose uptake in the temporoparietal association cortex, occipital cortex, premotor cortex and the cerebellar vermis. The highest activity was noted in the temporoparietal association cortex. Activity of the primary sensorimotor cortex was higher in the superomedial part (leg motor area) than the lateral part (thorax and arm). Running augmented energy consumption in the parieto-occipital region relative to the motor area, probably due to the higher energy consumption necessary for integration of multimodal sensory information than for generation of motor output. Our results indicate that [¹⁸F]-FDG-PET is a useful tool for brain mapping under various physiological conditions.

DESCENTE SPORTS SCIENCE Vol.22/THE DESCENTE AND ISHIMOTO MEMORIAL FOUNDATION FOR THE PROMOTION SPORTS SCIENCE