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Muscular sense is attenuated when humans move
D F Collins1, T Cameron, D M Gillard
1Division of Neuroscience, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada T6G 2S2. dcollins@gpu.srv.ualberta.ca
The Journal of Physiology
|May 22, 1998
Summary
Human movement significantly reduces muscular sense, impairing the ability to detect muscle receptor signals. This sensory feedback attenuation during tasks like wrist movements and reaching suggests complex roles in motor control.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Human Motor Control
- Sensory Perception
Background:
- Muscle receptors are crucial for conscious movement perception.
- Previous research lacked data on detecting muscle signals during dynamic motor tasks.
Purpose of the Study:
- To introduce and validate a method for testing human muscular sense during movement.
- To quantify the impact of different motor tasks on the detection of muscle receptor signals.
Main Methods:
- Electrically induced muscle twitches in the extensor carpi ulnaris.
- Comparison of twitch detection during voluntary wrist movements, passive movements, and reaching tasks versus stationary controls.
- Stimulation via intramuscular or surface electrodes, with skin anesthesia.
Main Results:
- Voluntary wrist movements at 3 Hz reduced muscular sense to 37% of control, showing velocity-dependent attenuation.
- Reaching with the stimulated arm reduced muscular sense to 40% of control.
- Passive movements and skin stretching also significantly affected muscular sense perception.
Conclusions:
- Sensory feedback, including from muscle receptors, is generally attenuated during human movement.
- Both central and peripheral factors contribute to this sensory attenuation.
- The findings raise questions about the precise role of muscular sense in motor control.