Executive function and motor control deficits adversely affect gait performance with age, but the neural correlates underlying this interaction during stair climbing remains unclear. Twenty older adults (72.7 ± 6.9 years) completed single tasks: standing and responding to a response time task (SC), ascending or descending stairs (SM_up, SM_down); and a dual-task: responding while ascending or descending stairs (DT_up, DT_down). Prefrontal hemodynamic response changes (∆HbO2, ∆HbR) were examined using functional near-infrared spectroscopy (fNIRS), gait speed was measured using in-shoe smart insoles, and vocal response time and accuracy were recorded. Findings revealed increased ∆HbO2 (p = 0.020) and slower response times (p < 0.001) during dual- versus single tasks. ∆HbR (p = 0.549), accuracy (p = 0.135) and gait speed (p = 0.475) were not significantly different between tasks or stair climbing conditions. ∆HbO2 and response time findings suggest that executive processes are less efficient during dual-tasks. These findings, in addition to gait speed and accuracy maintenance, may provide insights into the neural changes that precede performance declines. To capture the subtle differences between stair ascent and descent and extend our understanding of the neural correlates of stair climbing in older adults, future studies should examine more difficult cognitive tasks.

中文翻译：

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健康老年人双任务爬楼梯过程中前额叶皮层的参与：一项fNIRS研究

执行功能和运动控制缺陷会随着年龄的增长而对步态表现产生不利影响，但在爬楼梯过程中这种相互作用的潜在神经相关性仍不清楚。20名老年人（72.7±6.9岁）完成了一项任务：站立并响应一个响应时间任务（SC），上下楼梯（SM_向上，SM_向下）；以及双重任务：在上下楼梯时响应（DT_向上，DT_向下）。使用功能性近红外光谱（fNIRS）检查前额血流动力学响应变化（∆HbO2，∆HbR），使用鞋内智能鞋垫测量步态速度，并记录人声反应时间和准确性。结果显示∆HbO2（p= 0.020）并且在双任务和单任务之间的响应时间较慢（p <0.001）。在任务或爬楼梯条件之间，ΔHbR（p = 0.549），准确度（p = 0.135）和步态速度（p = 0.475）没有显着差异。∆HbO2和响应时间发现表明，执行双重任务期间执行流程的效率较低。这些发现，除了步态速度和准确性维持外，还可以提供洞察力下降之前的神经变化的见解。为了捕捉楼梯上升和下降之间的细微差别，并扩展我们对老年人爬楼梯的神经相关性的理解，未来的研究应检查更困难的认知任务。