The Impact Of Dual-tasking On Frontal Cortex Activation During Turn Walking In Young Adults-Pilot Study

BACKGROUND: In daily walking, people often engage in turn walking and perform dual tasks involving cognition and movement, such as conversing with others while taking a walk. Some scholars have already studied the activation of the frontal cortex during dual-task performance in straight-line walking; however, few have investigated the impact of dual-task performance on frontal cortex activation during turn walking. This study aims to explore the HbO2 concentration change value (ΔHbO2) in the frontal cortex region of young adults during the process of 8-figure turn walking while performing cognitive dual-tasks. METHODS: 6 young adults were recruited (23.67 ± 1.51 years; 176 ± 8.88 cm; 71.17 ± 9.15 kg). Participants wore functional near-infrared spectroscopy(Shimadzu, Japan, LIGHTNIRS) and randomly completed two motor tasks: (1) STW (Single Task Walking): 8-figure turn walking; (2) DTW (Dual Task Walking): performing a numerical vigilance cognitive task while engaging in figure-eight turn walking. Paired T-tests were used to analyze the hemodynamic signals in six regions of interest(ROIs)in the frontal lobe, with the significance level set at p < 0.05. RESULTS: Compared to STW, the ΔHbO2 in the Frontal Pole Area (FPA) was significantly greater (p = 0.02), Primary Motor Cortex & Supplementary Motor Area (PMC&SMA) (p < 0.01), and Primary Motor Cortex (M1) (p = 0.014) when performing DTW. During walking, the PFC, PMC&SMA, and M1 are each individually involved in the integration of motor and cognitive resources, coordination, and motor control. This may explain why these areas can be activated during complex walking tasks. CONCLUSION: For healthy young individuals, turn walking with increased cognitive demands is no longer a mere automated activity; it may necessitate the collective engagement of motor control and cognitive functions. Sustained turn walking under dual-task conditions could potentially be employed as an advanced form of walking exercise in everyday life. Supported by: National natural science Foundation