EMG amplitude and spatial assimilation effects in rapid bimanual movement

To investigate whether spatial assimilation effects are due to premovement control processes or postinitiation feedback processes, surface EMG recordings were made from two agonists and one antagonist during both single and dual movements involving the upper limb(s). In the single condition, subjects (N = 7) made 25 Short (20 degrees) and 25 Long (60 degrees) reversal movements using levers in the sagittal plane, in 195 ms to reversal. In the dual condition, both Short and Long movements were performed simultaneously for 75 trials, the last 25 of which were without knowledge of results. Subjects overshot the Short target in the dual condition, showing spatial assimilation effects. Overshooting was associated with increased peak EMG in the initial (premovement) agonist burst, supporting the notion that spatial assimilation effects are modulated via premovement control processes.