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Multiplicative-cascade dynamics supports whole-body coordination for perception via effortful touch
Madhur Mangalam1, Damian G Kelty-Stephen2
1Department of Physical Therapy, Movement and Rehabilitation Sciences, Northeastern University, Boston 02115, MA, USA.
Human Movement Science
|March 29, 2020
Summary
This study reveals multifractality in body movement dynamics during object interaction. Increased multifractality (tMF) in center of pressure (CoP) fluctuations impacts perception accuracy for object heaviness and length.
Area of Science:
- Explores the intersection of biomechanics, psychophysics, and complex systems.
- Investigates human motor control and sensory perception through the lens of nonlinear dynamics.
Background:
- Effortful touch is crucial for object interaction and property perception.
- Whole-body coordination dynamics are hypothesized to support prospective control for object engagement.
Purpose of the Study:
- To identify multifractality in center of pressure (CoP) fluctuations during object hefting.
- To determine if multifractal properties of postural control influence perceptual accuracy of object properties (heaviness, length).
Main Methods:
- Analyzed time series of center of pressure (CoP) displacement during object hefting.
- Utilized Iterative Amplitude Adjusted Fourier Transform (IAAFT) surrogates to assess multifractality (tMF).
- Employed regression modeling to link multifractal dynamics (tMF) to perceptual error in heaviness and length judgments.
Main Results:
- Signatures of multifractality were found in CoP time series, indicating multiplicative-cascade dynamics.
- Multifractality (tMF) significantly influenced perceptual error, demonstrating nonlinear dynamics in postural control.
- Task-specific effects were observed: higher tMF decreased heaviness judgment accuracy but increased length judgment accuracy.
Conclusions:
- Multiplicative-cascade dynamics in posture are implicated in prospective coordination during object interaction.
- These dynamics play a role in perceiving object properties through effortful touch.
- Further research is needed to understand how kinematic constraints affect multifractal behavior in perception.
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