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Evaluating cortical activity and balance performance in Alpine skiers: An fNIRS study
Haroon Khan1, Paolo Victor Redondo2, Håvard Engell3
1Department of Mechanical, Electrical, and Chemical Engineering, Oslo Metropolitan University, Pilestredet 46, 0167 Oslo, Norway.
Human Movement Science
|December 4, 2025
Summary
Young skiers show greater brain activity during single-leg balance compared to double-leg stance, indicating different neural control. No significant differences were found between right- and left-leg stances for balance or brain activation.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Sports Science
- Biomechanics
Background:
- Dynamic balance is crucial for skiers' performance and injury prevention.
- Cortical hemodynamics, reflecting brain activity, are key to understanding postural control.
- Functional near-infrared spectroscopy (fNIRS) allows non-invasive measurement of brain activity during motor tasks.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the relationship between dynamic balance and cortical hemodynamics in young skiers.
- To compare cortical activation during single-leg stance (SLS) versus dual-leg stance (DLS).
- To explore differences in brain activity between right-leg stance (RLS) and left-leg stance (LLS).
Main Methods:
- Young skiers performed single-leg stance (SLS) and dual-leg stance (DLS) balance tasks.
- Cortical hemodynamics were measured using functional near-infrared spectroscopy (fNIRS).
- The functional mixed effects model was used to analyze hemodynamic responses.
Main Results:
- Significantly higher cortical activation was observed during SLS compared to DLS (p≤0.0001).
- Distinct cortical activation patterns were identified during both SLS and DLS, involving motor cortex regions.
- No significant differences in cortical hemodynamics or balance performance were found between RLS and LLS.
Conclusions:
- Single-leg stance demands greater neural resources for postural control in young skiers compared to dual-leg stance.
- The motor cortex exhibits specific activation patterns during different stances, but lateralization (RLS vs. LLS) does not significantly impact hemodynamics or balance in this group.
- Further research comparing skiers and non-skiers could elucidate the functional role of these brain activity patterns in balance improvement and targeted interventions.
