Functional near-infrared spectroscopy study of hemodynamic in the prefrontal and motor cortices and its implications for endurance capacity
Abstract
This study investigates the primary cortical areas that influence endurance capacity in humans by monitoring cerebral hemodynamics in the prefrontal and motor cortices during endurance exercise. Participants engaged in incremental load endurance exercise while equipped with a functional near-infrared spectroscopy to assess cortical activity. Hemodynamic in the prefrontal and motor cortices were continuously monitored, with a particular emphasis on cortical activation at both the onset and termination of exercise, as well as their relationships with exercise duration and other cortical regions. Results showed that both the prefrontal and motor cortices exhibited significant activation during the onset and termination of exercise, with activation intensity and areas increasing in response to elevated exercise loads. Notably, cortical activation in these cortices at the onset of exercise did not show a significant correlation with exercise duration. However, activations in specific aeras of the motor cortex-FC1h, FC2h, C1h, and C2h-at the termination of exercise were significantly correlated with endurance duration and showed extensive interconnections with other areas in both the prefrontal and motor cortices. These results suggest that FC1h, FC2h, C1h, and C2h in the motor cortex might play a crucial role in regulating endurance capacity. Enhancing the functionality of these cortical areas might contribute to further improvements in endurance performance.
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