Task-dependent changes in the cortical control of postural dual tasks: effects of secondary cognitive and motor tasks
Abstract
We examined motor cortical excitability when maintaining balance while performing a secondary motor or cognitive task. When the secondary motor task was involved, balance performance worsened and corticospinal excitability increased. Dual tasks involving the secondary cognitive task resulted in contrasting effects, with either no change or an improvement in balance performance, along with no change in cortical control. These findings demonstrate how different motor cortical strategies are adopted depending on the dual task requirements.
Fields of Study & Subjects
Balance
Gait
and Falls Prevention
Motor Control and Adaptation
Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation Studies
Publication details
- Journal / source
- Journal of Neurophysiology
- Volume
- 135
- Issue
- 3
- Pages
- 630–640
- Publication date
- 10 February 2026
- Language
- EN