Cortical Engagement Metrics During Reactive Balance Are Associated With Distinct Aspects of Balance Behavior in Older Adults

Heightened reliance on the cerebral cortex for postural stability with aging is well-known, yet cortical mechanisms balance control, particularly in relation to function, remain unclear. Here we aimed investigate motor activity level of challenge presented during reactive recovery and identify circuit-specific interactions between prefrontal or somatosensory regions metrics function that predict fall risk. Using electroencephalography, assessed beta power, coherence reactions perturbations older adults. We found individuals greater power evoked following standing demonstrated lower general clinical function. Individual adults a wide range responses at same perturbation magnitude, showing no group-level change prefrontal- somatosensory-motor response perturbations. However, highest prefrontal-motor post-perturbation, but not pre-perturbation, period showed cognitive dual-task interference (DTI) elicited stepping magnitudes. Our results support as potential biomarker individual implicate networks distinct aspects control involving inhibition Cortical network may provide neural target precision-medicine efforts prevention aging.