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Articulatory effort modulates speech adaptation to auditory perturbations
Elodie Ronayette1, Fabien Cignetti2, Pascal Perrier1
1Université Grenoble-Alpes, CNRS, Grenoble-INP, GIPSA-Lab, Grenoble, France.
Frontiers in Human Neuroscience
|June 8, 2026
Summary
Motor effort constrains speech adaptation. Increased physical effort during speech production limits the magnitude of adaptation and influences compensatory strategies, even when sensory feedback is altered.
Area of Science:
- Speech Science
- Motor Control
- Auditory Feedback
Background:
- Speech sensorimotor adaptation is often partial and variable.
- Existing research focuses on sensory and phonological factors, neglecting motor effort's role.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate how physical motor effort impacts speech adaptation magnitude and saturation.
- To explore the relationship between effort, adaptation, and articulatory strategy selection.
Main Methods:
- Participants produced French vowels /ne/-/nø/ with altered auditory feedback (0-50% F2 upshift).
- Two lip tube conditions (flexible vs. rigid) manipulated motor effort for lip rounding.
- Acoustic (F2) and physiological (EMG of orbicularis oris) measures quantified compensation.
Main Results:
- Speech adaptation saturated earlier and at lower magnitudes with increased motor effort (rigid tube).
- EMG activity and F2 compensation showed similar nonlinear saturation patterns.
- Participants adapted strategies, potentially involving tongue backing at higher perturbation levels.
Conclusions:
- Motor effort is a key constraint on speech sensorimotor adaptation.
- Effort influences both the extent of adaptation and the choice of articulatory strategies.
- Understanding effort's role is crucial for explaining speech variability.
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