Distinct adaptation patterns between grip dynamics and arm kinematics when the body is upside-down

L. Opsomer, F. Crevecoeur, J. L. Thonnard, J. McIntyre, P. Lefevre*

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

5 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

In humans, practically all movements are learnt and performed in a constant gravitational field. Yet, studies on arm movements and object manipulation in parabolic flight have highlighted very fast sensorimotor adaptations to altered gravity environments. Here, we wondered if the motor adjustments observed in those altered gravity environments could also be observed on Earth in a situation where the body is upside-down. To address this question, we asked participants to perform rhythmic arm movements in two different body postures (right-side-up and upside-down) while holding an object in precision grip. Analyses of grip-load force coordination and of movement kinematics revealed distinct adaptation patterns between grip and arm control. Grip force and load force were tightly synchronized from the first movements performed in upside-down posture, reflecting a malleable allocentric grip control. In contrast, velocity profiles showed a more progressive adaptation to the upside-down posture and reflected an egocentric planning of arm kinematics. In addition to suggesting distinct mechanisms between grip dynamics and arm kinematics for adaptation to novel contexts, these results also suggest the existence of general mechanisms underlying gravity-dependent motor adaptation that can be used for fast sensorimotor coordination across different postures on Earth and, incidentally, across different gravitational conditions in parabolic flights, in human centrifuges, or in Space. NEW & NOTEWORTHY During rhythmic arm movements performed in an upside-down posture, grip control adapted very quickly, but kinematics adaptation was more progressive. Our results suggest that grip control and movement kinematics planning might operate in different reference frames. Moreover, by comparing our results with previous results from parabolic flight studies, we propose that a common mechanism underlies adaptation to unfamiliar body postures and adaptation to altered gravity.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)862-874
Number of pages13
JournalJournal of Neurophysiology
Volume125
Issue number3
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - Mar 2021

Funding

This work was supported by ESA PRODEX Grant 400012374 (to P. Lefèvre and J-L. Thonnard) and by grants from the French Space Agency CNES (to J. McIntyre).

FundersFunder number
French Space Agency CNES
European Society of Anaesthesiology400012374

    Keywords

    • Grip force
    • Reference frame
    • Rhythmic arm movements
    • Upside-down posture

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