EEG Source Localization during an Arm Isometric Force Exertion Task at Different Levels of Perceived Exertion

Background: Neuroergonomics is an emerging science that focuses on the human brain's performance during physical work. The advent of portable neurophysiological methods, including electroencephalography (EEG), has enabled measurements of real-time brain activity during physical tasks without restricting body movements. However, the EEG signatures of different levels of physical exertion activity involving the musculoskeletal system remain poorly understood. Objective: This study investigated the EEG source localization activity induced by predefined force exertion levels during an isometric arm force exertion task in healthy female participants for the alpha and beta frequency bands. Methods: Exact low-resolution electromagnetic tomography (eLORETA) was used to localize the current source densities (CSDs) in 84 anatomical brain regions of interest. Results: The maximum CSDs for extremely hard force exertion levels for the alpha frequency were localized in Brodmann area (BA) 6, whereas CSDs associated with other exertion levels were localized in BA 8. The maximum CSDs for extremely hard force exertion levels for beta were localized in BA 5, whereas CSDs associated with other exertion levels were localized in BA 7. Conclusions: These findings extend the current understanding of the neurophysiological basis of physical exertion with various force levels and suggest that specific brain regions are involved in generating the sensation of force exertion. To our knowledge, this is the first study localizing EEG activity among various predefined force exertion levels during an isometric arm exertion task in healthy female participants.