scholarly journals An emerging target paradigm evokes fast visuomotor responses on human upper limb muscles

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Rebecca A. Kozak ◽  
Aaron L. Cecala ◽  
Brian D. Corneil
Keyword(s):  
Upper Limb ◽  
Visual Information ◽  
Pectoralis Major Muscle ◽  
Stimulus Presentation ◽  
Emg Activity ◽  
Visually Guided ◽  
Visuomotor Transformations ◽  
Limb Muscles ◽  
The Impact ◽  
Human Upper Limb

ABSTRACTTo reach towards a seen object, visual information has to be transformed into motor commands. Visual information such as the object’s colour, shape, and size is processed and integrated within numerous brain areas, then ultimately relayed to the motor periphery. In some instances we must react as fast as possible. These fast visuomotor transformations, and their underlying neurological substrates, are poorly understood in humans as they have lacked a reliable biomarker. Stimulus-locked responses (SLRs) are short latency (<100 ms) bursts of electromyographic (EMG) activity representing the first wave of muscle recruitment influenced by visual stimulus presentation. SLRs provide a quantifiable output of rapid visuomotor transformations, but SLRs have not been consistently observed in all subjects in past studies. Here we describe a new, behavioural paradigm featuring the sudden emergence of a moving target below an obstacle that consistently evokes robust SLRs. Human participants generated visually-guided reaches toward or away from the emerging target using a robotic manipulandum while surface electrodes recorded EMG activity from the pectoralis major muscle. In comparison to previous studies that investigated SLRs using static stimuli, the SLRs evoked with this emerging target paradigm were larger, evolved earlier, and were present in all participants. Reach reaction times (RTs) were also expedited in the emerging target paradigm. This paradigm affords numerous opportunities for modification that could permit systematic study of the impact of various sensory, cognitive, and motor manipulations on fast visuomotor responses. Overall, our results demonstrate that an emerging target paradigm is capable of consistently and robustly evoking activity within a fast visuomotor system.SUMMARYWe present a new behavioual paradigm that elicits robust fast visuomotor responses on human upper limb muscles during visually guided reaches.

scholarly journals Stimulus-Locked Responses on Human Upper Limb Muscles and Corrective Reaches are Preferentially Evoked by Low Spatial Frequencies

2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Rebecca A. Kozak ◽  
Philipp Kreyenmeier ◽  
Chao Gu ◽  
Kevin Johnston ◽  
Brian D. Corneil
Keyword(s):  
Upper Limb ◽  
Dynamic Condition ◽  
Static Condition ◽  
Emg Activity ◽  
Limb Muscle ◽  
Visually Guided ◽  
Target Presentation ◽  
Visuomotor Transformations ◽  
Spatial Frequencies ◽  
On Line

AbstractIn situations requiring immediate action, humans can generate visually-guided responses at remarkably short latencies. Here, to better understand the visual attributes that best evoke such rapid responses, we recorded upper limb muscle activity while participants performed visually-guided reaches towards Gabor patches composed of differing spatial frequencies. We studied reaches initiated from a stable posture (experiment 1, a static condition), or during on-line reach corrections to an abruptly displaced target (experiment 2, a dynamic condition). In both experiments, we detail the latency and prevalence of stimulus-locked responses (SLRs), which are brief bursts of EMG activity that are time-locked to target presentation rather than movement onset. SLRs represent the first wave of EMG recruitment influenced by target presentation, and enable quantification of rapid visuomotor transformations. In both experiments, reach targets composed of low spatial frequencies elicited the shortest latency and most prevalent SLRs, with SLR latency increasing and SLR prevalence decreasing for reach targets composed of progressively higher spatial frequencies. SLRs could be evoked in either the static or dynamic condition, and when present in experiment 2, were associated with shorter latency and larger magnitude corrections. Furthermore, SLRs evolved at shorter latencies (~20 ms) when the arm was already in motion. These results demonstrate that stimuli composed of low spatial frequencies preferentially evoke the most rapid visuomotor responses which, in the context of rapidly correcting an on-going reaching movement, are associated with earlier and larger on-line reach corrections.Significance StatementHumans have a remarkable capacity to respond quickly to changes in our visual environment. Although our visual world is composed of a range of spatial frequencies, surprisingly little is known about which frequencies preferentially evoke rapid reaching responses. Here, we systematically varied the spatial frequency of peripheral reach targets while measuring EMG activity on an upper limb muscle. We found that visual stimuli composed of low-spatial frequencies elicit the most rapid and robust EMG responses and corrective reaches. Thus, when time is of the essence, low spatial frequencies preferentially drive fast visuomotor responses.

Heteronymous reflex connections in human upper limb muscles in response to stretch of forearm muscles

2011 ◽  
Vol 106 (3) ◽  
pp. 1489-1499 ◽  
Author(s):  
Curtis D. Manning ◽  
Parveen Bawa
Keyword(s):  
Upper Limb ◽  
Biceps Brachii ◽  
Monosynaptic Reflex ◽  
Electromyographic Activity ◽  
Response Patterns ◽  
Triceps Brachii ◽  
Limb Muscles ◽  
Abductor Digiti Minimi ◽  
Human Upper Limb ◽  
Wrist Flexors

Torque motor produced stretch of upper limb muscles results in two distinct reflex peaks in the electromyographic activity. Whereas the short-latency reflex (SLR) response is mediated largely by the spinal monosynaptic reflex pathway, the longer-latency reflex (LLR) is suggested to involve a transcortical loop. For the SLRs, patterns of heteronymous monosynaptic Ia connections have been well-studied for a large number of muscles in the cat and in humans. For LLRs, information is available for perturbations to proximal joints, although the protocols for most of these studies did not focus on heteronymous connections. The main objective of the present study was to elicit both SLRs and LLRs in wrist flexors and extensors and to examine heteronymous connections from these muscles to elbow flexors (biceps brachii; BiBr) and extensors (triceps brachii; TriBr) and to selected distal muscles, including abductor pollicis longus (APL), first dorsal interosseous (FDI), abductor digiti minimi (ADM), and Thenars. The stretch of wrist flexors produced SLR and LLR peaks in APL, FDI, ADM, Thenars, and BiBr while simultaneously inducing inhibition of wrist extensors and TriBr. When wrist extensors were stretched, SLR and LLR peaks were observed in TriBr, whereas the primary wrist flexors, APL and BiBr, were inhibited; response patterns of FDI, ADM, and Thenars were less consistent. The main conclusions from the observed data are that: 1) as in the cat, afferents from wrist flexors and extensors make heteronymous connections with proximal and distal upper limb muscles; and 2) the strength of heteronymous connections is greater for LLRs than SLRs in the distal muscles, whereas the opposite is true for the proximal muscles. In the majority of observations, SLR and LLR excitatory peaks were observed together. However, on occasion, LLRs were observed without the SLR response in hand muscles when wrist extensors were stretched.

scholarly journals Done in 100 ms: path-dependent visuomotor transformation in the human upper limb

2018 ◽  
Vol 119 (4) ◽  
pp. 1319-1328 ◽  
Author(s):  
Chao Gu ◽  
J. Andrew Pruszynski ◽  
Paul L. Gribble ◽  
Brian D. Corneil
Keyword(s):  
Reference Frame ◽  
Upper Limb ◽  
Visual Stimulus ◽  
Visual Information ◽  
Task Complexity ◽  
Stimulus Onset ◽  
Movement Trajectory ◽  
Limb Muscle ◽  
Muscle Recruitment ◽  
Human Upper Limb

A core assumption underlying mental chronometry is that more complex tasks increase cortical processing, prolonging reaction times. In this study we show that increases in task complexity alter the magnitude, rather than the latency, of the output for a circuit that rapidly transforms visual information into motor actions. We quantified visual stimulus-locked responses (SLRs), which are changes in upper limb muscle recruitment that evolve at a fixed latency ~100 ms after novel visual stimulus onset. First, we studied the underlying reference frame of the SLR by dissociating the initial eye and hand position. Despite its quick latency, we found that the SLR was expressed in a hand-centric reference frame, suggesting that the circuit mediating the SLR integrated retinotopic visual information with body configuration. Next, we studied the influence of planned movement trajectory, requiring participants to prepare and generate either curved or straight reaches in the presence of obstacles to attain the same visual stimulus location. We found that SLR magnitude was influenced by the planned movement trajectory to the same visual stimulus. On the basis of these results, we suggest that the circuit mediating the SLR lies in parallel to other well-studied corticospinal pathways. Although the fixed latency of the SLR precludes extensive cortical processing, inputs conveying information relating to task complexity, such as body configuration and planned movement trajectory, can preset nodes within the circuit underlying the SLR to modulate its magnitude. NEW & NOTEWORTHY We studied stimulus-locked responses (SLRs), which are changes in human upper limb muscle recruitment that evolve at a fixed latency ~100 ms after novel visual stimulus onset. We showed that despite its quick latency, the circuitry mediating the SLR transformed a retinotopic visual signal into a hand-centric motor command that is modulated by the planned movement trajectory. We suggest that the circuit generating the SLR is mediated through a tectoreticulospinal, rather than a corticospinal, pathway.

scholarly journals Activity of upper limb and trunk muscles during power walking

2015 ◽  
Vol 9 (2) ◽  
Author(s):  
Johann Peter Kuhtz-Buschbeck ◽  
Antonia Frendel
Keyword(s):  
Upper Limb ◽  
Muscle Activation ◽  
Erector Spinae ◽  
Trunk Muscles ◽  
Emg Activity ◽  
Normal Walking ◽  
Arm Swing ◽  
Temporal Muscle ◽  
Limb Muscles ◽  
Emg Patterns

<p>Background: Arm swing is deliberately emphasized during power walking, a popular aerobic fitness exercise. Electromyographic (EMG) activation curves of arm and shoulder muscles during power walking have not yet been examined. Aim: To describe the amount and pattern of EMG activity of upper limb muscles during power walking. Data are compared to normal walking and jogging. Method:  Twenty volunteers were examined on a treadmill at 6 km/h during (a) normal walking, (b) power walking, (c) jogging. EMG data were collected for the trapezius (TRAP), anterior (AD) and posterior deltoid (PD), biceps (BIC), triceps (TRI), latissimus dorsi (LD) and erector spinae (ES) muscles. Results:  Activity of four muscles (AD, BIC, PD, TRAP) was three- to fivefold stronger during power walking than normal walking. Smaller significant increases involved the TRI, LD and ES. Two muscles (AD, TRAP) were more active during power walking than running. Normal walking and power walking involved similar EMG patterns of PD, LD, ES, while EMG patterns of running and walking differed. Interpretation: Emphasizing arm swing during power walking triples the EMG activity of upper limb muscles, compared to normal walking. Similar basic temporal muscle activation patterns in both modes of walking indicate a common underlying motor program. </p>

scholarly journals Activity of upper limb and trunk muscles during power walking

2015 ◽  
Vol 9 (2) ◽  
Author(s):  
Johann Peter Kuhtz-Buschbeck ◽  
Antonia Frendel
Keyword(s):  
Upper Limb ◽  
Muscle Activation ◽  
Erector Spinae ◽  
Trunk Muscles ◽  
Emg Activity ◽  
Normal Walking ◽  
Arm Swing ◽  
Temporal Muscle ◽  
Limb Muscles ◽  
Emg Patterns

Background: Arm swing is deliberately emphasized during power walking, a popular aerobic fitness exercise. Electromyographic (EMG) activation curves of arm and shoulder muscles during power walking have not yet been examined. Aim: To describe the amount and pattern of EMG activity of upper limb muscles during power walking. Data are compared to normal walking and jogging. Method: Twenty volunteers were examined on a treadmill at 6 km/h during (a) normal walking, (b) power walking, (c) jogging. EMG data were collected for the trapezius (TRAP), anterior (AD) and posterior deltoid (PD), biceps (BIC), triceps (TRI), latissimus dorsi (LD) and erector spinae (ES) muscles. Results: Activity of four muscles (AD, BIC, PD, TRAP) was three- to fivefold stronger during power walking than normal walking. Smaller significant increases involved the TRI, LD and ES. Two muscles (AD, TRAP) were more active during power walking than running. Normal walking and power walking involved similar EMG patterns of PD, LD, ES, while EMG patterns of running and walking differed. Interpretation: Emphasizing arm swing during power walking triples the EMG activity of upper limb muscles, compared to normal walking. Similar basic temporal muscle activation patterns in both modes of walking indicate a common underlying motor program.

Hysteresis in EMG Activity of Muscles of the Human Upper Limb at Rotations of the Isometric Effort Vector

2017 ◽  
Vol 49 (4) ◽  
pp. 308-312 ◽  
Author(s):  
M. Dornowski ◽  
O. V. Lehedza ◽  
V. S. Mishchenko ◽  
A. V. Gorkovenko
Keyword(s):  
Upper Limb ◽  
Emg Activity ◽  
Isometric Effort ◽  
Human Upper Limb

scholarly journals Proximal Upper Limb Sensorimotor Integration in Response to Novel Motor Skill Acquisition

2020 ◽  
Vol 10 (9) ◽  
pp. 581 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sinead O’Brien ◽  
Danielle Andrew ◽  
Mahboobeh Zabihhosseinian ◽  
Paul Yielder ◽  
Bernadette Murphy
Keyword(s):  
Skill Acquisition ◽  
Upper Limb ◽  
Motor Skill ◽  
Sensorimotor Integration ◽  
Common Source ◽  
Motor Training ◽  
Training Task ◽  
Motor Skill Acquisition ◽  
Limb Muscles ◽  
The Impact

Previous studies have shown significant changes in cortical and subcortical evoked potential activity levels in response to motor training with the distal upper-limb muscles. However, no studies to date have assessed the neurological processing changes in somatosensory evoked potentials (SEPs) associated with motor training whole-arm movements utilizing proximal upper-limb muscles. The proximal upper-limb muscles are a common source of work-related injuries, due to repetitive glenohumeral movements. Measuring neurophysiological changes following performance of a proximal motor task provide insight into potential neurophysiological changes associated with occupational postures and movements involving proximal upper limb muscles. This study sought to assess the impact of a novel motor skill acquisition task on neural processing of the proximal upper-limb muscle groups, through the measurement of short-latency median nerve SEPs. One group of 12 participants completed a novel motor training task, consisting of tracing a sinusoidal waveform varying in amplitude and frequency. Baseline SEP measurements were recorded from each participant, followed by a mental recitation control task. Pre-test SEP measurements were then recorded, followed by the motor training task, and post-test SEP recordings. The participants completed the tracing with their right thumb, using glenohumeral rotation only to move their hand. Significant improvements in task accuracy were demonstrated, indicating that motor acquisition had occurred. Significant changes were also seen in the N11, N13, N20, N24, P25, and the N30 SEP peaks were seen following the motor training task. Conclusion: Early SEPs appear to be a sensitive measure of changes in sensorimotor integration in response to novel motor skill acquisition within the proximal upper-limb muscles.

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