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Updated: May 24, 2026

Force and Position Control in Humans - The Role of Augmented Feedback
Published on: June 19, 2016
Feedback about isometric force production yields more random variations
Dilip N Athreya1, Guy Van Orden, Michael A Riley
1Center for Cognition, Action, & Perception, Department of Psychology, University of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, OH 45221-0376, USA.
Abstract:
We investigated the relation between visual feedback and the degree of structure versus randomness in the variability of single-digit, isometric force output. Participants were instructed to maintain a constant level of force during the presence or absence of visual feedback about force output. The structure of force output variability was quantified using spectral analysis and detrended fluctuation analysis. Both analyses revealed that force output was less structured (more random) when visual feedback was available than when it was not. More random performance variation seemed to reflect a corrective strategy in the control of action.
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