Task-Related Hemodynamic Response Alterations During Slacklining: An fNIRS Study in Advanced Slackliners

Area of Science:

• Neuroscience
• Motor Control
• Sports Science

Background:

• Maintaining balance relies on complex neural networks in subcortical and cortical brain structures.
• Understanding brain processing during whole-body balance tasks is crucial but limited.
• Slacklining is a high-demand balance task used in sports training and rehabilitation.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate brain activity during slacklining, a demanding whole-body balance task.
• To assess hemodynamic response alterations in sensorimotor areas using functional near-infrared spectroscopy (fNIRS).
• To explore differences between standing and walking on a slackline and their relation to experience.

Main Methods:

• Functional near-infrared spectroscopy (fNIRS) was used to measure brain activity.
• 16 advanced slackliners performed standing (ST) and walking (WA) on a slackline.
• Hemodynamic responses in sensorimotor brain regions were analyzed.

Main Results:

• Hemodynamic responses were altered in sensorimotor areas like the primary motor cortex (M1), premotor cortex (PMC), and supplementary motor cortex (SMA) during both conditions.
• No significant differential effects were found between standing and walking conditions.
• No associations were observed between cortical activity and slacklining experience.

Conclusions:

• This study provides novel insights into brain processing during whole-body balance tasks like slacklining.
• Sensorimotor brain regions are involved in slacklining, but task variations and experience did not show differential cortical effects.
• Future research should explore whole-brain processing during balance tasks for broader applications in daily life and rehabilitation.