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A neurophysiological basis for the coordination between hand and foot movement
Andrew J K McIntyre-Robinson1, Winston D Byblow
1Movement Neuroscience Laboratory, Department of Sport and Exercise Science, The University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand.
Journal of Neurophysiology
|June 7, 2013
Summary
Healthy adults coordinate hand and foot movements more easily in the same direction (isodirectional). This study found that while corticomotor excitability supports isodirectional movement, it does not rely on M1 intracortical facilitation.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Motor Control
- Human Movement Science
Background:
- Hand and foot movements are more stable when performed in the same direction (isodirectional) than in opposite directions (anisodirectional).
- The neural mechanisms underlying this preference for isodirectional coordination are not fully understood.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the role of M1 (primary motor cortex) intracortical facilitation in hand-foot coordination.
- To identify neurophysiological correlates that explain the preference for isodirectional hand-foot movements.
Main Methods:
- Experiment 1: Assessed behavioral kinematics of hand-foot coordination in 17 healthy adults.
- Experiment 2: Measured corticomotor excitability and intracortical facilitation using paired-pulse TMS (transcranial magnetic stimulation) during hand and foot movements.
Main Results:
- Coordination became unstable in the anisodirectional pattern but remained stable in the isodirectional pattern (P < 0.001).
- Facilitation of wrist extensor and flexor muscles (ECR, FCR) and TMS-induced wrist flexion occurred during ankle plantarflexion, supporting an isodirectional preference (P < 0.025).
- A novel association was found between loss of anisodirectional stability and modulation of corticomotor excitability supporting the isodirectional pattern (P < 0.05).
Conclusions:
- The preference for isodirectional hand-foot movements is supported by modulation of corticomotor excitability.
- Contrary to the hypothesis, this preference does not appear to depend on M1 intracortical facilitation.
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