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Related Experiment Video

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Experimental Methods to Study Human Postural Control

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Published on: September 11, 2019

Descending corticospinal control of intersegmental dynamics.

Valeriya Gritsenko¹, John F Kalaska, Paul Cisek

¹Département de Physiologie, Université de Montréal, Montréal, Québec H3C 3J7, Canada. vgritsenko@hsc.wvu.edu

The Journal of Neuroscience : the Official Journal of the Society for Neuroscience

|August 19, 2011

Summary

The central nervous system compensates for interaction torques during arm movements. This compensation, particularly involving biarticular muscles, helps manage passive limb dynamics for accurate motion.

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Area of Science:

Neuroscience
Biomechanics
Motor Control

Background:

Accurate multijoint limb movements require the central nervous system (CNS) to manage complex dynamics, including interaction torques.
Interaction torques are passive forces generated between limb segments during motion, influencing active muscle contractions.
Understanding how the CNS accounts for these torques is crucial for motor control research.

Purpose of the Study:

To investigate the role of the corticospinal tract in compensating for interaction torques during human arm movements.
To determine if motor commands adjust based on the presence and direction of interaction torques.

Main Methods:

Twelve subjects performed reaching movements with a robotic exoskeleton.
Interaction torques were manipulated to either assist or resist arm motion.
Corticospinal excitability was measured using transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) over the primary motor cortex (M1).

Main Results:

Corticospinal excitability in shoulder and elbow muscles correlated with resistive interaction torques.
No correlation was found between TMS responses and assistive interaction torques or co-contraction.
Biarticular muscles showed altered responses, suggesting their involvement in torque compensation.

Conclusions:

The descending motor command actively compensates for passive limb dynamics, specifically interaction torques.
Biarticular muscles play a significant role in compensating for interaction torques due to their anatomical position.
This compensation mechanism is vital for precise and goal-directed arm movements.