Cortical activation in healthy young adults performing a verbal fluency task during gait: A near-infrared functional spectroscopy (f-NIRS) study
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BACKGROUND
Dual-task walking requires simultaneous management of cognitive and motor demands and is associated with changes in gait and cortical activation. However, the relationship between task-related cortical recruitment and dual-task-related gait adjustments in healthy young adults remains unclear. This study aimed to investigate the effects of dual-tasking on gait performance and cortical activation, and to examine the association between changes in cortical activity and dual-task costs.
METHODS
This cross-sectional study included 33 healthy young adults. Participants performed three conditions: single-task walking, cognitive single-task (verbal fluency), and dual-task walking. Each condition was repeated 10 times using a repeated short-block design with randomized trial presentation. Gait performance was assessed using an instrumented walkway, and cortical activation was measured using functional near-infrared spectroscopy. Dual-task costs were calculated for gait and cognitive outcomes.
Statistical analysis included repeated-measures analysis of variance (ANOVA) and Wilcoxon signed-rank tests, with false discovery rate correction for multiple comparisons. Associations between changes in cortical activation and dual-task costs were examined using correlation analyses.
RESULTS
Dual-task walking resulted in significant changes in gait, including reduced speed, step and stride length, and increased base of support, stance, and double support (all p < 0.05), while cognitive performance remained unchanged. Dual-tasking was associated with increased cortical activation in left prefrontal and motor-related regions. Greater increases in cortical activation were associated with lower dual-task costs across most gait parameters, with significant correlations observed in the left dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (r ≈ 0.42–0.47 for speed and stride length; p < 0.05). Double support showed a distinct pattern, suggesting a specific temporal adjustment within the gait cycle.
CONCLUSIONS
Dual-task walking in young adults is associated with coordinated behavioral and cortical adaptations. Increased cortical recruitment is linked to reduced motor interference, suggesting that broader engagement of cortical networks may contribute to performance under cognitive-motor load.
