The ability to maintain balance is based on various processes of motor control in complex
neural networks of subcortical and cortical brain structures. However, knowledge on
brain processing during the execution of whole-body balance tasks is still limited. In the
present study, we investigated brain activity during slacklining, a task with a high demand
on balance capabilities, which is frequently used as supplementary training in various
sports disciplines as well as for lower extremity prevention and rehabilitation purposes
in clinical settings. We assessed hemodynamic response alterations in sensorimotor
brain areas using functional near-infrared spectroscopy (fNIRS) during standing (ST)
and walking (WA) on a slackline in 16 advanced slackliners. We expected to observe
task-related differences between both conditions as well as associations between
cortical activity and slacklining experience. While our results revealed hemodynamic
response alterations in sensorimotor brain regions such as primary motor cortex (M1),
premotor cortex (PMC), and supplementary motor cortex (SMA) during both conditions,
we did not observe differential effects between ST and WA nor associations between
cortical activity and slacklining experience. In summary, these findings provide novel
insights into brain processing during a whole-body balance task and its relation to
balance expertise. As maintaining balance is considered an important prerequisite in
daily life and crucial in the context of prevention and rehabilitation, future studies
should extend these findings by quantifying brain processing during task execution on a
whole-brain level.
| Identifer | oai:union.ndltd.org:DRESDEN/oai:qucosa:de:qucosa:88745 |
| Date | 21 December 2023 |
| Creators | Seidel-Marzi, Oliver, Hähner, Susanne, Ragert, Patrick, Carius, Daniel |
| Publisher | Frontiers Media S.A. |
| Source Sets | Hochschulschriftenserver (HSSS) der SLUB Dresden |
| Language | English |
| Detected Language | English |
| Type | info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersion, doc-type:article, info:eu-repo/semantics/article, doc-type:Text |
| Rights | info:eu-repo/semantics/openAccess |
| Relation | 644490, 10.3389/fnrgo.2021.644490 |
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