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Related Experiment Video

Updated: May 28, 2026

Postural Organization of Gait Initiation for Biomechanical Analysis Using Force Platform Recordings

Postural Organization of Gait Initiation for Biomechanical Analysis Using Force Platform Recordings

Published on: July 26, 2022

Working memory load modulates sensorimotor cortical oscillations underlying anticipatory postural adjustments during

Kodai Minami¹, Eiji Yamanaka², Kohei Okuyama³

¹Graduate School of Health Sciences, Aomori University of Health and Welfare, Aomori, Japan; Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, Tokyo Bay Rehabilitation Hospital, Chiba, Japan.

|May 26, 2026

Summary

High working memory load increases errors in anticipatory postural adjustments (APAs) during step initiation. This is linked to enhanced theta-band synchronization in the sensorimotor cortex, suggesting cognitive demands impact motor control.

Keywords:

Attention Cortical activation Dual task Executive function Falls Postural control

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Last Updated: May 28, 2026

Postural Organization of Gait Initiation for Biomechanical Analysis Using Force Platform Recordings

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Published on: April 6, 2019

Area of Science:

Neuroscience
Motor Control
Cognitive Psychology

Background:

Anticipatory postural adjustments (APAs) are crucial for stable weight transfer during locomotion.
Working memory (WM) load, especially under visual interference, can impair APA execution.
The neural basis for WM load-induced APA errors remains poorly understood.

Purpose of the Study:

To investigate the cortical activity associated with increased erroneous APAs under working memory load.
To elucidate the neural mechanisms linking cognitive demands to motor control deficits during gait initiation.

Main Methods:

Sixteen healthy young men performed a visual stimulus-cued stepping task.
Participants experienced two working memory load conditions (LOW: 1 digit, HIGH: 6 digits) combined with congruent and incongruent Flanker task stimuli.
Electroencephalography (EEG) recorded cortical oscillatory activity during step initiation.

Main Results:

APA error rates were significantly higher in the incongruent condition under HIGH WM load compared to LOW WM load.
Theta-band synchronization in the sensorimotor area was significantly enhanced under HIGH WM load versus LOW WM load.
Increased cognitive demand correlated with greater recruitment of sensorimotor areas.

Conclusions:

Elevated working memory load necessitates greater sensorimotor area engagement to manage cognitive demands during step initiation.
Inefficient activation of the sensorimotor area under high cognitive load may contribute to faulty weight shifting and APA errors.
This study highlights the interplay between cognitive load and motor control in gait initiation.