Brain and skeletal muscles

Head Prof. Habil. Dr. Albertas Skurvydas

The main strategic goal of the research is to explore the dependence of cognitive, emotional and motor working capacity, fatigue and recovery on age, physical and single bouts of cognitive workload, social stress, calorie restriction, sleep restriction, ambient temperature and their combinations through integration of contemporary approaches in molecular and systemic biology. The dependence of indicator change (impact during and after) of “cold” (executive functions) and “hot” (intuitive, emotional and heuristic) cognition on aerobic, strength, speed, motor control, cognitive load size of different strategies, calorie restriction, physical and social stress and, most importantly, age (children, adults, healthy elderly and disabled people) will be investigated for the first time in the world. Our research is based on the ideas of fundamental research carried out on animals, demonstrating that single physical, social, cognitive and emotional stressors as well as calorie and sleep restriction stimulate not only the motor, but also the cognitive functions and emotional intelligence (Dhabhar, 2015; Brehmer et al., 2014; Marosi and Mattson, 2014; Murphy et al., 2014; Sale et al., 2014; van Praag et al., 2014; Zigmond and Smeyne, 2014; Erickson et al., 2013; Korol et al., 2013; Rothman and Mattson, 2013; Voss et al., 2013; McEwen, 2010-2015; Calabrese, 2008). Currently the dose-effect dependence is being investigated. Our main methodological research area, which creates new and necessary knowledge, is transformation / streaming of fundamental research with animal genes, cells, organs and body into human motor and cognitive behavioral characteristics. The second methodological research line is vertical and horizontal interdisciplinarity of research (starting with molecular biology, physiology, biomechanics, and continuing with neurophysiology, neuropsychology, psichoneuroendocrinoimmunology, decision making sciences, neurodidactics, neurolaw, neuroeconomics and motor-cognitive-emotional intelligence). The third, and perhaps the most important methodological novelty is the dependence of behaviour indicators of “hot” and “cold” cognition changes on physical, emotional, social, cognitive “good” and “bad” stress as well as investigation of their complex.

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