Increased visual information gain improves bimanual force coordination. (3rd November 2015)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Bhullar, Amitoj; Kang, Nyeonju; Idica, Jerelyne; Christou, Evangelos A.; Cauraugh, James H.
• Is Part Of: Neuroscience letters. Volume 608(2015)
• Page Start: 23
• Page End: 27
• Publication Date: 2015-11-03
• Subjects: Bimanual -- Force control -- Coordination -- Visual information -- Task asymmetry; Neurology -- Periodicals; Neurology -- Periodicals; Research -- Periodicals; Neurologie -- Périodiques; Neuroanatomie -- Périodiques; Neuropharmacologie -- Périodiques; Neurophysiologie -- Périodiques; Neurology; Periodicals; Electronic journals; 617.48
• DOI: 10.1016/j.neulet.2015.10.002
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0304-3940

Abstract

Highlights: Bimanual force variability decreased from 8 to 80 pixels/N. Significant improvements in bimanual coordination continued up to 256 pixels/N. Coordination is more sensitive to increased visual gains than force variability. Abstract: Bimanual force control requiring asymmetrical forces between limbs is more challenging than bimanual force control when the limbs produce symmetrical forces. Previous studies investigated visual information gains between 8 and 80 pixels/N to facilitate asymmetrical force control. Given that previous studies limited visual information gain to 80 pixels/N, the current experiment expanded the range by increasing visual information gains (8, 80, 256, and 512 pixels/N). A second manipulation involved three task constraint coefficients imposed on bimanual force control: (a) left-biased, (b) right-biased, and (c) equal-biased. Analyses of 15 right-handed adult volunteers revealed a decrease in bimanual force variability and more negative correlation coefficient with increased visual information gain in the equal biased condition. Significant reductions in bimanual force variability were found between 8 and 80 pixels/N. In contrast, significant improvements in coordination patterns between hands continued up to 256 pixels/N. These novel findings demonstrate that bimanual force coordination was more sensitive to an increase in visual information gains (>80 pixels/N) than bimanual force variability.