Neural Efficiency and Sensorimotor Adaptations in Swimming Athletes: A Systematic Review of Neuroimaging and Cognitive-Behavioral Evidence for Performance and Wellbeing.

ABSTRACT: Background/Objectives: Swimming requires precise motor control, sustained attention, and optimal cognitive-motor integration, making it an ideal model for investigating neural efficiency-the phenomenon whereby expert performers achieve optimal outcomes with reduced neural resource expenditure, operationalized as lower activation, sparser connectivity, and enhanced functional integration. This systematic review examined cognitive performance and neural adaptations in swimming athletes, investigating neuroimaging and behavioral outcomes distinguishing swimmers from non-athletes across performance levels. Methods: Following PRISMA 2020 guidelines, seven databases were searched (1999-2024) for studies examining cognitive/neural outcomes in swimmers using neuroimaging or validated

SUBMITTER: Gkintoni E 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12839007 | biostudies-literature | 2026 Jan

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature