Head movements destabilize cyclical in-phase but not anti-phase homologous limb coordination in humans

Neurosci Lett. 2003 Apr 17;340(3):229-33. doi: 10.1016/s0304-3940(02)01335-6.

Abstract

The present study addressed the role of head movements in the coordination of the homologous upper or lower limbs in supine normal subjects. Consistent with previous research, in-phase mirror symmetrical movements were performed more accurately and consistently than anti-phase movements. However, inclusion of head movements destabilized in-phase but not anti-phase homologous limb coordination, in contrast to previous work demonstrating a higher vulnerability of anti-phase than in-phase coordination to various experimental perturbations. It was observed that the head moved in the same direction as the limbs during anti- but not during in-phase coordination. Furthermore, the interlimb patterns also affected the head rotations that were lower in spatiotemporal consistency and less consistently coupled with the limbs during in-phase than during anti-phase coordination. These findings provide new insights into the coalition of egocentric and allocentric constraints during interlimb coordination.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Analysis of Variance
  • Arm / physiology*
  • Female
  • Head Movements / physiology*
  • Humans
  • Leg / physiology*
  • Male
  • Psychomotor Performance / physiology*