Dopamine and acute exercise in motor learning: Implications for healthy ageing and disease

This research explores the effect of exercise on motor learning in disrupted dopamine signalling, including following a selective dopamine antagonist (sulpiride), and in healthy older adults. These studies provide causal evidence for the importance of dopamine D2 transmission in motor learning and show that acute high intensity exercise improves motor consolidation in healthy aging. These findings improve our understanding of dopaminergic contributions to motor learning, and provide critical insight into when, and for whom, exercise may be beneficial in supporting motor learning. This can inform exercise interventions in age-related disorders such as Parkinson’s disease.