Document Detail


Effects of human arm impedance on dynamics learning and generalization.
MedLine Citation:
PMID:  19357340     Owner:  NLM     Status:  MEDLINE    
Abstract/OtherAbstract:
Previous studies have demonstrated anisotropic patterns of hand impedance under static conditions and during movement. Here we show that the pattern of kinematic error observed in studies of dynamics learning is associated with this anisotropic impedance pattern. We also show that the magnitude of kinematic error associated with this anisotropy dictates the amount of motor learning and, consequently, the extent to which dynamics learning generalizes. Subjects were trained to reach to visual targets while holding a robotic device that applied forces during movement. On infrequent trials, the load was removed and the resulting kinematic error was measured. We found a strong correlation between the pattern of kinematic error and the anisotropic pattern of hand stiffness. In a second experiment subjects were trained under force-field conditions to move in two directions: one in which the dynamic perturbation was in the direction of maximum arm impedance and the associated kinematic error was low and another in which the perturbation was in the direction of low impedance where kinematic error was high. Generalization of learning was assessed in a reference direction that lay intermediate to the two training directions. We found that transfer of learning was greater when training occurred in the direction associated with the larger kinematic error. This suggests that the anisotropic patterns of impedance and kinematic error determine the magnitude of dynamics learning and the extent to which it generalizes.
Authors:
Mohammad Darainy; Andrew A G Mattar; David J Ostry
Publication Detail:
Type:  Journal Article; Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural; Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't     Date:  2009-04-08
Journal Detail:
Title:  Journal of neurophysiology     Volume:  101     ISSN:  0022-3077     ISO Abbreviation:  J. Neurophysiol.     Publication Date:  2009 Jun 
Date Detail:
Created Date:  2009-05-27     Completed Date:  2009-08-03     Revised Date:  2010-09-27    
Medline Journal Info:
Nlm Unique ID:  0375404     Medline TA:  J Neurophysiol     Country:  United States    
Other Details:
Languages:  eng     Pagination:  3158-68     Citation Subset:  IM    
Affiliation:
Department of Psychology, McGill University, Montreal, Quebec, Canada H3A 1B1.
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MeSH Terms
Descriptor/Qualifier:
Adaptation, Physiological / physiology*
Adolescent
Adult
Analysis of Variance
Arm / innervation,  physiology*
Attention / physiology
Biomechanics
Generalization (Psychology) / physiology*
Humans
Learning / physiology*
Movement
Nonlinear Dynamics*
Psychomotor Performance / physiology
Young Adult
Grant Support
ID/Acronym/Agency:
HD-48924/HD/NICHD NIH HHS
Comments/Corrections

From MEDLINE®/PubMed®, a database of the U.S. National Library of Medicine


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