Assessment of resting-state prefrontal haemodynamic fluctuation characteristics in male university students who have received curling training using fNIRS technology

Abstract This study compared the amplitude of resting-state low-frequency haemodynamic fluctuation over the prefrontal cortex between curling-trained and curling-naive young adults. Forty-two right-handed male undergraduates were included (21 trained, 21 controls). Functional near-infrared spectroscopy recorded 10 min of resting-state data across 22 prefrontal channels, of which the middle 8 min were analysed. Using oxyhaemoglobin as the principal indicator, three amplitude indices were compared, the absolute (ALFF), within-participant standardised (zALFF) and fractional (fALFF) values, with Benjamini-Hochberg correction and mixed-design models for spatial structure. First, overall prefrontal ALFF was lower in the trained group with no Group x Channel interaction, and right frontopolar channel CH13 survived correction. Second, the Group x Channel interaction was significant on zALFF, with greater relative prominence at left dorsolateral channel CH17 and a borderline reduction at CH13; decomposition showed that this difference was carried by hemispheric balance rather than by differentiation among prefrontal regions. Third, fALFF showed no group difference, and deoxyhaemoglobin effects were directionally consistent. Finally, an exploratory analysis found greater relative prominence at right ventrolateral CH14 among participants trained for seven or more years. Because the design is cross-sectional and no cognitive task was administered, these are associations and the functional labels are candidate interpretations.