loading page

The Infinity Walk: A Promising Approach to Enhancing Motor Control and Balance - An fNIRS Study
  • Haroon Khan ,
  • Noman Naseer ,
  • Peyman Mirtaheri
Haroon Khan
Oslo Metropolitan University

Corresponding Author:[email protected]

Author Profile
Noman Naseer
Author Profile
Peyman Mirtaheri
Author Profile

Abstract

This study investigates the cortical activation effects of the Infinity Walk and examines the influence of the foot’s overpronation and footwear on motor control. Functional near-infrared spectroscopy (fNIRS), a portable and user-friendly neuroimaging technique, was used to measure hemodynamical changes in six individuals with non-critical pronation degrees. Participants perform the Infinity Walk under various footwear conditions while wearing a fNIRS portable imaging device. Results indicate a consistent hemodynamic pattern in both hemispheres during the Infinity Walk, with no significant differences observed across subjects and footwear conditions in the prefrontal cortex (PFC), pre-motor area, the supplementary motor cortex (PMA & SMC), the primary motor cortex (PMC), and Wernicke’s area (WA). The impact of pronation and footwear on motor control remains inconclusive due to inconsistent hemodynamic patterns. Notably, the activation patterns in Broca’s area (BA) and the temporal gyrus (TG) differ significantly from other brain regions. The balanced hemodynamic responses in the bilateral hemispheres may be attributed to the Infinity Walk’s inherent walking pattern. These findings suggest that the Infinity Walk shows promise as a motor rehabilitation tool, as it promotes positive hemodynamic activation and exhibits similar activation patterns in both hemispheres.