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Updated: May 13, 2026
09:49
Methods to Explore the Influence of Top-down Visual Processes on Motor Behavior
Published on: April 16, 2014
The utility of vision during action: multiple visuomotor processes?
Luc Tremblay1, Steve Hansen, Andrew Kennedy
1Faculty of Kinesiology and Physical Education, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada. luc.tremblay@utoronto.ca
Journal of Motor Behavior
|February 28, 2013
Summary
Vision during movement helps control, with different speeds aiding distinct processes. Impulse control benefits from vision up to 0.9 m/s, while limb-target regulation improves with vision up to 1.1 m/s.
Area of Science:
- Motor control
- Human movement science
- Visuomotor processes
Background:
- The control phase of movement involves distinct processes like impulse and limb-target regulation.
- Previous research suggests these visuomotor processes may operate under different constraints.
Purpose of the Study:
- To provide empirical evidence supporting the segregation of movement control into distinct processes.
- To determine the velocity-dependent constraints governing impulse and limb-target regulation.
Main Methods:
- Two experiments were conducted involving visuomotor tasks.
- Vision availability was manipulated based on limb velocity criteria (above or below thresholds).
Main Results:
- Vision provided between 0.8 and 0.9 m/s significantly enhanced impulse regulation.
- Vision provided up to 1.1 m/s significantly improved limb-target regulation.
Conclusions:
- The findings support the hypothesis that impulse regulation and limb-target regulation are distinct processes.
- These processes can occur at different limb velocities during a single movement, influenced by visual feedback.
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