Sex differences in parietal lobe activation among orienteering athletes during a mental rotation task using functional near-infrared spectroscopy
Year: 2026
Type: article
Study design: Observational Study
Abstract: This study used fNIRS to examine sex differences in spatial cognition and brain function in orienteering athletes during mental rotation. Forty-two athletes performed a letter-based mental rotation task while fNIRS data were recorded. After quality control, 33 participants were included. Behavioral performance, brain activation, and brain-behavior relationships were analyzed using t-tests, correlations, and ANCOVA, with FDR correction for multiple comparisons. Males showed higher accuracy than females (83.33% vs. 69.68%, p = 0.039, d = 0.91), but reaction time did not differ (p = 0.228). No significant brain activation differences were found after FDR correction, though a marginal trend was observed in the IPL region for HbT (q = 0.074, d = -0.91), with males showing lower activation. Sex-specific correlations were found: BA5 HbR correlated with reaction time in females (r = 0.547), and IPL HbR correlated with reaction time in males (r = 0.458). Females showed greater inter-individual variability. Male behavioral advantages were directionally consistent with lower parietal activation, aligning with the neural efficiency hypothesis. Sex-specific relationships and greater female variability suggest strategic heterogeneity. This study provides preliminary fNIRS evidence for sex differences in mental rotation among orienteering athletes, with conclusions restricted to this population.
Source: Scientific Reports
Authors: Yuqing Liu, Ying Qin, Mingyuan Zhao, Baoshan Qian
Institution: Harbin Sport University
Language: English
Subfield: Experimental and Cognitive Psychology
Field: Psychology
Domain: Social Sciences
Open Access status: gold
Estimated APC paid: $2,690
OpenAlex ID: W7203674347