Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jul 12, 2026

Isometric and Eccentric Force Generation Assessment of Skeletal Muscles Isolated from Murine Models of Muscular Dystrophies
Published on: January 31, 2013
Control of isometric force in hypergravity
1German Sports University, Köln, Germany.
Background:
Previous work suggests that proprioceptive signals are degraded in hypergravity (hyper-G). We therefore, expected that production of finely graded force is disturbed as well.
Methods:
Subjects produced isometric force with their thumb and index finger upon verbal instruction, before, during and after exposure to +1.5 Gz and +3 Gz. Produced force was orthogonal to the direction of gravity.
Results:
In hyper-G, responses to a given target value were significantly higher (by about 400 pond) than in normal gravity, while the modulation of produced force with target force didn't change. The results in +1.5 Gz and +3 Gz were quantitatively similar, and a positive aftereffect was found.
Conclusions:
Subjects underestimate by a constant amount the force they produce in hyper-G. Our results are reminiscent of similar findings with pointing and grasping movements in hyper-G.
Related Concept Videos
Weightlessness
Comparison Between Electrical And Gravitational Forces
Since both are inverse square law forces, the distance gets canceled when the ratio of the two forces is considered. Instead, the ratio of the electrical and gravitational forces depends on...
Isotonic and Isometric Muscle Contractions
Isotonic contractions
Isotonic contractions occur when a muscle changes length while the...
Gravitational Force
Conservation of Mass in Fixed, Nondeforming Control Volume
In the case of a sewer pipe, which can be modeled...
Conservation of Mass in Moving, Nondeforming Control Volume
In the context of a detention basin, the conservation of mass states that the total mass of water entering the basin must equal the mass leaving the basin plus any accumulation of...

