Neural Mechanisms of Human Movement, Cognition, and Emotion Across the Lifespan: Insights from Athletes, Older Adults, and Youth Using EEG and fNIRS

The integration of motion capture and portable neuroimaging, specifically Electroencephalography (EEG) and functional Near-Infrared Spectroscopy (fNIRS), has revolutionized movement science, allowing for the study of the brain in action. This advancement is crucial for understanding the intricate coupling between the brain, movement, cognition, and emotion. However, much research remains fragmented across different populations and life stages. We need to consolidate findings to understand how high performance is maintained in athletes, how mobility can be preserved in aging populations (e.g., gait and balance), and how physical activity supports healthy development in youth. A lifespan perspective using these ecological imaging tools is necessary to advance theory and practice.The primary problem is that our understanding of the 'brain in action' remains limited due to reliance on static neuroimaging, which imposes unnatural physical constraints. While research exists within specific silos, we lack a consolidated, mechanistic understanding of how motor, cognitive, and emotional processes are integrated neurally across different life stages and physical expertise levels. This Research Topic aims to bridge these gaps by leveraging recent advances in wearable, high-density EEG and multi-channel fNIRS, alongside sophisticated signal processing algorithms for artifact rejection during movement. By compiling cross-population studies—focusing on elite athletes, aging adults, and developing youth—we intend to elucidate how neural efficiency changes with expertise, how cortical control of movement shifts with age, and how physical activity modulates neuroplasticity to support developmental well-being. Ultimately, this collection seeks to establish a unified perspective on the neural determinants of human movement and its psychological impact.This Research Topic focuses on advancing movement science through the lens of portable neuroimaging, seeking contributions that utilize EEG and fNIRS to explore the complex coupling of human movement, cognition, and emotion across different life stages and physical expertise levels. We welcome manuscripts addressing, but not limited to, the following themes: (1) Athletic Excellence: Neural markers of peak performance, motor expertise, and neural efficiency in elite athletes; (2) Mobility and Aging: Cortical control of gait, balance, dual-task walking, and neural mechanisms of fall risk in older adults; (3) Development and Well-being: The role of physical activity in modulating brain function for cognitive development and emotional regulation in youth; and (4) Methodological Innovations: Advances in multi-modal imaging, signal processing, and artifact rejection for 'brain-in-action' studies. We invite Original Research, Review articles (systematic or meta-analyses), Methods manuscripts, and brief research reports that significantly contribute to bridging the gap between neuroscience and movement psychology. Topic editors: Wenfei Zhu, Aiping Chi, Núbia Conceição Source: https://www.frontiersin.org/research-topics/80682/neural-mechanisms-of-human-movement-cognition-and-emotion-across-the-lifespan-insights-from-athletes-older-adults-and-youth-using-eeg-and-fnirs