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Estimation of Contact Regions Between Hands and Objects During Human Multi-Digit Grasping
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Second-order grasp planning reflects sensitivity to inertial factors
Jeffrey B Wagman1, Drew H Abney2, David A Rosenbaum3
1Department of Psychology, Illinois State University, Normal, IL, USA.
Human Movement Science
|October 28, 2017
Summary
Humans adjust their grips based on object properties, even for future tasks. This study shows grasp planning considers an object's inertia and pendular motion for efficient movement.
Area of Science:
- Motor control
- Human movement science
- Biomechanics
Background:
- Grasping behavior is influenced by object physical properties.
- Previous research focused on first-order grasp planning (immediate demands).
- The role of inertia in second-order grasp planning (subsequent demands) is less understood.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate how grasp planning adapts to object inertial properties during second-order tasks.
- To examine the influence of an object's pendular properties on grasp adjustments.
Main Methods:
- Participants grasped a horizontal rod for tasks involving reaching with either end.
- Experiment 1 used a uniformly weighted rod.
- Experiment 2 used an asymmetrically weighted rod to assess responses to altered inertia and pendular effects.
Main Results:
- Grasps were adjusted based on the target end, utilizing overhand or underhand grips.
- Grasp position shifted to compensate for inertial properties.
- Participants adapted grasps to leverage the pendular dynamics of the hand-plus-rod system.
Conclusions:
- Grasp planning extends beyond immediate needs, incorporating an object's inertial and pendular characteristics.
- Humans proactively adjust their grasps to optimize dynamic movements based on object properties.
- This attunement demonstrates sophisticated predictive motor control strategies.
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