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WheelCon: A Wheel Control-Based Gaming Platform for Studying Human Sensorimotor Control

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Thermodynamic fluctuation theorems govern human sensorimotor learning.

P Hack¹, C Lindig-Leon², S Gottwald²

¹Institute of Neural Information Processing, Ulm University, Ulm, 89081, Germany. phpedrohack@gmail.com.

Scientific Reports

|January 17, 2023

Summary

This study tests fluctuation theorems in human sensorimotor learning. Findings suggest human adaptation in visuomotor tasks aligns with thermodynamic predictions, validating these theories in biological learning systems.

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Area of Science:

Thermodynamics
Learning Systems
Human Sensorimotor Learning

Background:

Thermodynamic reasoning has a long history in studying learning systems.
Recent developments include fluctuation theorems relating perfect thermodynamic adaptation to adaptation processes.
These theorems are experimentally validated in physical systems and broadly applicable mathematically.

Purpose of the Study:

To experimentally test the applicability of fluctuation theorems in human sensorimotor learning.
To investigate the relationship between adaptive movement trajectories and steady-state behavior in a visuomotor rotation task.

Main Methods:

Participants performed a visuomotor rotation task with changing rotations.
Adaptive movement trajectories were analyzed.
Behavior was related to fully adapted steady-state behavior.

Main Results:

Human adaptive behavior in the visuomotor task was generally consistent with fluctuation theorem predictions.
The study provides empirical evidence for the application of fluctuation theorems in biological learning.

Conclusions:

Fluctuation theorems appear applicable to human sensorimotor learning.
The findings support the integration of thermodynamic principles into understanding biological adaptation.
Further discussion on the merits and limitations of this thermodynamic approach is warranted.