Background Declines in gait parameters are common with aging and more pronounced in tasks with increased executive demand. However, the neural correlates of age-related gait impairments are not fully understood yet. Objectives To investigate (a) the effects of aging on prefrontal cortex (PFC) activity and gait parameters during usual walking, obstacle crossing and dual-task walking and (b) the association between PFC activity and measures of gait and executive function. Methods Eighty-eight healthy individuals were distributed into 6 age-groups: 20-25 (G20), 30-35 (G30), 40-45 (G40), 50-55 (G50), 60-65 (G60), and 70-75 years (G70). Participants walked overground under 3 conditions: usual walking, obstacle crossing, and dual-task walking. Changes in oxygenated and deoxygenated hemoglobin in the PFC were recorded using functional near-infrared spectroscopy. Gait spatiotemporal parameters were assessed using an electronic walkway. Executive function was assessed through validated tests. Results Between-group differences on PFC activity were observed for all conditions. Multiple groups (ie, G30, G50, G60, and G70) showed increased PFC activity in at least one of the walking conditions. Young adults (G20 and G30) had the lowest levels of PFC activity while G60 had the highest levels. Only G70 showed reduced executive function and gait impairments (which were more pronounced during obstacle crossing and dual-task walking). PFC activity was related to gait and executive function. Conclusions Aging causes a gradual increase in PFC activity during walking. This compensatory mechanism may reach the resource ceiling in the 70s, when reduced executive function limits its efficiency and gait impairments are observed.

中文翻译：

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步行期间的前额叶皮层活动：衰老的影响以及与步态和执行功能的关联

背景步态参数的下降随着年龄的增长而下降，并且在执行需求增加的任务中更为明显。然而，与年龄相关的步态障碍的神经相关性尚未完全了解。目的 调查 (a) 衰老对前额叶皮层 (PFC) 活动和步态参数的影响，在正常行走、越障和双任务行走期间，以及 (b) PFC 活动与步态和执行功能测量之间的关联。方法 将 88 名健康个体分为 6 个年龄组：20-25（G20）、30-35（G30）、40-45（G40）、50-55（G50）、60-65（G60）和70-75 岁（G70）。参与者在 3 种情况下在地上行走：通常行走、越过障碍物和双任务行走。使用功能性近红外光谱记录 PFC 中含氧和脱氧血红蛋白的变化。使用电子走道评估步态时空参数。通过经过验证的测试评估执行功能。结果 在所有条件下均观察到 PFC 活性的组间差异。多个组（即 G30、G50、G60 和 G70）在至少一种步行条件下显示出 PFC 活性增加。年轻人（G20 和 G30）的 PFC 活性水平最低，而 G60 的水平最高。只有 G70 表现出执行功能下降和步态障碍（在穿越障碍和双任务行走期间更为明显）。PFC 活动与步态和执行功能有关。结论 衰老会导致步行期间 PFC 活动逐渐增加。