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Updated: Jan 30, 2026
07:56
Resting-State Connectivity and Neuroimaging of Prefrontal Cortex Activity During a Block-Design Yoga Asana Practice Using fNIRS
Published on: June 24, 2025
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Aging effects on prefrontal cortex oxygenation in a posture-cognition dual-task: an fNIRS pilot study
Uros Marusic1,2, Wolfgang Taube3, Shawnda A Morrison4
1Institute for Kinesiology Research, Science and Research Centre Koper, Garibaldijeva 1, Koper, Slovenia.
Summary
Aging affects posture control, shifting it to more cortical processing. Young adults improved cognitive performance during dual-tasking, unlike older adults, suggesting the dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (DLPFC) is more sensitive to postural demands.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Gerontology
- Biomechanics
Background:
- Aging alters upright posture and locomotion control, increasing reliance on cortical processing.
- Investigating dual-tasking paradigms in aging is crucial for understanding motor-cognitive interactions.
Purpose of the Study:
- To examine postural-cognitive dual-task performance in young and older adults.
- To measure dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (DLPFC) oxygenation using functional Near-Infrared Spectroscopy (fNIRS) during these tasks.
Main Methods:
- Twenty healthy adults (10 young, 10 older) performed cognitive (serial subtractions) and postural (tandem stance) tasks individually and concurrently.
- Cerebral oxygenation levels in the DLPFC were monitored using fNIRS.
Main Results:
- Young adults showed improved cognitive performance in dual-tasking, while older adults did not.
- No significant changes in postural performance were observed between single and dual-task conditions.
- DLPFC oxygenation (O2Hb) increased significantly during postural tasks, indicating greater load compared to cognitive tasks.
Conclusions:
- Young adults exhibit enhanced cognitive function under dual-task conditions compared to older adults.
- The dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (DLPFC) appears more sensitive to postural load than cognitive load.
- Further research is needed to explore varying cognitive and postural loads and their impact on aging.
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