Changes in brain activity induced by the N-back task are related to improved dual-task performance
Changes in brain activity induced by the N-back task are related to improved dual-task performance
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DOI：
10.1016/j.bbr.2020.112881
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发表时间：
2020-08
影响因子：
2.7
通讯作者：
Takehide Kimura;R. Matsuura
中科院分区：
文献类型：
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作者：
Takehide Kimura;R. Matsuura
双重任务表现往往会影响运动竞赛的成绩。之前的研究表明，认知任务可能会改善双重任务的表现。然而，影响认知任务提高双重任务绩效的因素仍然是未知的。这项研究旨在研究认知任务引起的大脑活动变化是否与双重任务绩效的改善有关。19名年轻的健康成年人在不同的时间进行了N-back和反应任务。通过将力控制任务和计算任务相结合，构造了一个双任务。在力量控制任务中，参与者根据目标波调整他们的伸膝力量。在计算任务中，参与者被要求减去并对通过耳机传递的听觉刺激做出反应。我们在执行每项认知任务之前和之后评估了双重任务的表现。此外，在每个认知任务的执行过程中，我们使用近红外光谱测量了脑血流动力学活动。因此，在双任务设置下，执行N-back任务提高了力量控制任务的绩效。此外，在N-back任务中，部分右侧背外侧前额叶皮质中氧合血红蛋白的增加与随后的双重任务中力量控制的改善呈正相关。认知任务可以很容易地在临床领域完成。因此，认知任务可以纳入到传统的体育训练中。未来的研究应该调查目前的发现是否可以转化为提高体育比赛中的表现。
Dual-task performance often influences athletic competition results. Previous studies have suggested that cognitive tasks might improve dual-task performance. However, the factors that contribute to the manner in which cognitive tasks improve dual-task performance remain unknown. This study aimed to examine whether changes in brain activity induced by cognitive tasks are associated with improvement in dual-task performance. Nineteen young healthy adults performed an N-back and a reaction task on different days. A dual-task was constructed by combining a force-control and a calculation task. In the force-control task, participants adjusted their knee extension force according to target waves. In the calculation task, participants were required to subtract and respond to auditory stimuli delivered via earphones. We evaluated dual-task performance before and after performing each cognitive task. Additionally, we measured cerebral hemodynamic activity using near-infrared spectroscopy during the performance of each cognitive task. As a result, performing the N-back task improved performance in the force-control task under the dual-task setup. Furthermore, increase in oxyhemoglobin in a part of the right dorsolateral prefrontal cortex during the N-back task was positively correlated with improved force control during the subsequent dual-task. Cognitive tasks can be easily performed in a clinical field. Thus, cognitive tasks could be incorporated in traditional physical training. Future research should investigate whether the present findings can translate to improving performance in athletic competitions.