Synchronization of Neurophysiological and Biomechanical Data in a Real-Time Virtual Gait Analysis System (GRAIL): A Proof-of-Principle Study.

The investigation of gait and its neuronal correlates under more ecologically valid conditions as well as real-time feedback visualization is becoming increasingly important in neuro-motor rehabilitation research. The Gait Real-time Analysis Interactive Lab (GRAIL) offers advanced opportunities for gait and gait-related research by creating more naturalistic yet controlled environments through immersive virtual reality. Investigating the neuronal aspects of gait requires parallel recording of brain activity, such as through mobile electroencephalography (EEG) and/or mobile functional near-infrared spectroscopy (fNIRS), which must be synchronized with the kinetic and /or kinematic data recorded while walking.

Effect of additional tasks on the reaction time of braking responses in simulated car driving: beyond the PRP effect.

The presentation of one task increases the reaction time on a subsequent task, if stimulus onset asynchrony (SOA) between tasks is short. This psychological refractory period (PRP) effect is typically leveling off as SOA approaches 1 s, which has been documented both in classical laboratory paradigms and in simulated car driving. Here we report a more persistent effect on the subsequent task that goes well beyond the typical duration of the PRP effect.

Effect of COVID-19 Pandemic Lockdowns on Body Mass Index of Primary School Children from Different Socioeconomic Backgrounds.

Background: Childhood obesity is associated with various health outcomes. Restrictive measures to contain the spread of the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, like lockdowns and school closures, affected children's daily structure, physical activity, dietary habits, and sleep quality, possibly exacerbating risk factors for childhood obesity and higher body mass index (BMI) in children. Poor socioeconomic conditions may have led to relatively higher risk for elevated BMI levels following pandemic measures.

Inefficient frontal and parietal brain activation during dual-task walking in a virtual environment in older adults.

Walking while performing an additional cognitive task (dual-task walking; DT walking) is a common yet highly demanding behavior in daily life. Previous neuroimaging studies have shown that performance declines from single-task (ST) to DT conditions are accompanied by increased prefrontal cortex (PFC) activity. This increment is particularly pronounced in older adults and has been explained either by compensation, dedifferentiation, or inefficient task processing in fronto-parietal circuits.

The association of executive functions and physical fitness with cognitive-motor multitasking in a street crossing scenario.

Age-related decline in cognitive-motor multitasking performance has been attributed to declines in executive functions and physical fitness (motor coordinative fitness and cardiovascular fitness). It has been suggested that those cognitive and physical resources strongly depend on lifestyle factors such as long-term regular physical activity and cognitive engagement. Although research suggests that there is covariation between components of executive functions and physical fitness, the interdependence between these components for cognitive-motor multitasking performance is not yet clear.