Structural constraints on bimanual movements

SummaryA theoretical framework is outlined, according to which structural constraints on bimanual movements can at least in part be understood as coupling between parameters of generalized motor programs. This framework provides a conceptual link between reaction-time data from experiments with bimanual responses, successive unimanual responses, and choice between left-hand and right-hand responses on the one hand and performance data obtained with concurrently performed continuous movements or sequences of discrete responses on the other. On the basis of data obtained with different methods for the study of intermanual interactions, a distinction is drawn between steady-state and transient constraints, and the hypothesis that the tendency to coactivate homologous muscles originates from a transient coupling of program parameters is applied to a variety of observations on performance in different tasks. Finally, the notion of transient constraints is applied to other types of intermanual interdependencies and to interpersonal coordination; the possible emergence of transient constraints from steady-state constraints through progressive development of inhibitory pathways in childhood is discussed, as is the potential biological significance of transient constraints.

[1]  P. Wolff,et al.  ASSOCIATED MOVEMENTS AS A MEASURE OF DEVELOPMENTAL AGE , 1983, Developmental medicine and child neurology.

[2]  S. Grossberg,et al.  Reply to comments on ‘Adaptive neural networks for control of movement trajectories invariant under speed and force rescaling’ , 1991 .

[3]  C. B. Walter,et al.  The coordination of limb movements with different kinematic patterns , 1988, Brain and Cognition.

[4]  C. MacKenzie,et al.  10 A Preliminary Theory of Two-Hand Cd-Ordinated Control , 1980 .

[5]  David A. Rosenbaum,et al.  Motor Programming: A Review and Scheduling Theory , 1985 .

[6]  N. Hogan.  An organizing principle for a class of voluntary movements , 1984, The Journal of neuroscience : the official journal of the Society for Neuroscience.

[7]  Robert Nullmeyer,et al.  Application of variable criterion theory to choice reaction time , 1977 .

[8]  R. Schmidt.  8 On the Theoretical Status of Time in Motor Program Representations , 1980 .

[9]  H. Zelaznik,et al.  Motor-output variability: a theory for the accuracy of rapid motor acts. , 1979, Psychological review.

[10]  A. Sanders.  Issues and trends in the debate on discrete vs. continuous processing of information , 1990 .

[11]  J R Peterson.  Response-Response Compatability Effects in a Two-Hand Pointing Task1 , 1965, Human factors.

[12]  M L Norrie.  Effects of unequal distances and handedness on timing patterns for simultaneous movements of arms and legs. , 1967, Research quarterly.

[13]  D. Newland.  An introduction to random vibrations and spectral analysis , 1975 .

[14]  S. Bouisset,et al.  Chronometric analysis of the posturo-kinetic programming of voluntary movement. , 1986, Journal of motor behavior.

[15]  Herbert Heuer,et al.  Some characteristics of VITE: Reaction to Bullock and Grossberg, 1991 , 1991 .

[16]  Reaction Time in Simultaneous Motions , 1977, Perceptual and motor skills.

[17]  Richard A. Schmidt,et al.  The 1984 C. H. McCloy Research Lecture: The Search for Invariance in Skilled Movement Behavior , 1985 .

[18]  M. Peters.  Simultaneous performance of two motor activities: The factor of timing , 1977, Neuropsychologia.

[19]  H. Saunders,et al.  Book Reviews : AN INTRODUCTION TO RANDOM VIBRATION AND SPECTRAL ANALYSIS D.E. Newland Longman's Inc., New York, NY, 1978 , 1980 .

[20]  Herbert Heuer,et al.  A Multiple-Representations’ Approach to Mental Practice of Motor Skills1 , 1989 .

[21]  H. Heuer.  Rapid Responses with the Left or Right Hand: Response-Response Compatibility Effects Due to Intermanual Interactions , 1990 .

[22]  G. Hammond,et al.  Mutual interactions between speech and finger movements. , 1987, Journal of motor behavior.

[23]  B. Abernethy,et al.  Chapter 1 The Rise and Fall of Dominant Paradigms in Motor Behaviour Research , 1992 .

[24]  Herbert Heuer,et al.  Binary choice reaction time as a criterion of motor equivalence , 1982 .

[25]  Donald G. Mac Kay,et al.  Homologous Intrusions: An Analogue of Linguistic Blends , 1971, Perceptual and motor skills.

[26]  Betty Tuller,et al.  A “Dynamic Pattern” Perspective on the Control and Coordination of Movement , 1983 .

[27]  D Goodman,et al.  On the coordination of two-handed movements. , 1979, Journal of experimental psychology. Human perception and performance.

[28]  J. Kelso,et al.  A quantitative approach to understanding the formation and change of coordinated movement patterns. , 1989, Journal of motor behavior.

[29]  E. Kaplan.  Muscles Alive. Their Functions Revealed by Electromyography. J. V. Basmajian. Baltimore, The Williams and Wilkins Co., 1962. $8.50 , 1962 .

[30]  Basmajian Jv,et al.  Motor learning and control: a working hypothesis. , 1977 .

[31]  H. Heuer.  Intermanual Interactions During Programming of Finger Movements: Transient Effects of ‘Homologous Coupling’ , 1986 .

[32]  J. Basmajian.  Muscles Alive—their functions revealed by electromyography , 1963 .

[33]  R. Drillis,et al.  The Use of Gliding Cylclograms in the Biomechanical Analysis of Movements , 1959 .

[34]  H. Heuer.  Choice between finger movements of different and identical form: The effect of relative signal frequency , 1982 .

[35]  L. Cohen,et al.  Synchronous Bimanual Movements Performed by Homologous and Non-Homologous Muscles , 1971, Perceptual and motor skills.

[36]  B. Fowler,et al.  The Coordination of Bimanual Aiming Movements: Evidence for Progressive Desynchronization , 1991, The Quarterly journal of experimental psychology. A, Human experimental psychology.

[37]  Erich v. Holst,et al.  Die relative Koordination , 1939 .

[38]  Daniel Bullock,et al.  Neural dynamics of planned arm movements: emergent invariants and speed-accuracy properties during trajectory formation , 1988 .

[39]  Ernest J. McCormick,et al.  Human Factors Engineering , 1985 .

[40]  D. Wakelin.  The role of the response in psychological refractoriness. , 1976, Acta psychologica.

[41]  J. Kelso,et al.  Self-organization of coordinative movement patterns ☆ , 1988 .

[42]  B. Burns,et al.  Perceptual and motor factors in the imitation of simple temporal patterns , 1989, Psychological research.

[43]  Benedict Delisle Burns,et al.  The uncertain nervous system , 1968 .

[44]  Stephen Grossberg,et al.  Adaptive neural networks for control of movement trajectories invariant under speed and force rescaling , 1991 .

[45]  J. Decety,et al.  Brain structures participating in mental simulation of motor behavior: a neuropsychological interpretation. , 1990, Acta psychologica.

[46]  M L NORRIE,et al.  TIMING OF TWO SIMULTANEOUS MOVEMENTS OF ARMS AND LEGS. , 1964, Research quarterly.

[47]  D. Corcos,et al.  Two-Handed Movement Control , 1984 .

[48]  H Heuer.  Intermanual interactions during simultaneous execution and programming of finger movements. , 1985, Journal of motor behavior.

[49]  Herbert Heuer,et al.  Intermanual interactions during programming of aimed movements: Converging evidence on common and specific parameters of control , 1986 .

[50]  R. Schmidt,et al.  Utilization of Sensory Information for Motor Control , 1990 .

[51]  Paolo Viviani,et al.  Do Units of Motor Action Really Exist , 1986 .

[52]  M. Turvey,et al.  Phase transitions and critical fluctuations in the visual coordination of rhythmic movements between people. , 1990 .

[53]  Binary choice reaction time as a function of the relationship between durations and forms of responses. , 1984, Journal of motor behavior.

[54]  T. Kuhn,et al.  The Structure of Scientific Revolutions. , 1964 .

[55]  J. Kelso.  Phase transitions and critical behavior in human bimanual coordination. , 1984, The American journal of physiology.

[56]  Herbert Heuer,et al.  Invariant relative timing in motor-program theory , 1991 .

[57]  Elliot Saltzman,et al.  Skilled actions: a task-dynamic approach. , 1987, Psychological review.

[58]  H. Heuer.  Binary choice reaction time as a criterion of motor equivalence: Further evidence , 1982 .

[59]  D. Vickers.  Decision processes in visual perception , 1979 .

[60]  D. Rosenbaum,et al.  A priming method for investigating the selection of motor responses , 1982 .

[61]  Elliot Saltzman,et al.  Task Dynamic Coordination of the Speech Articulators: A Preliminary Model , 1986 .

[62]  H Heuer,et al.  Visual discrimination and response programming , 1987, Psychological research.

[63]  E. Holst.  Die relative Koordination , 1939 .

[64]  J. A. S. Kelso,et al.  Cooperative Phenomena in Biological Motion , 1985 .

[65]  J. Edelstein.  Human Factors Engineering 3rd Ed , 1971 .

[66]  Jeff Miller,et al.  Discrete and continuous models of human information processing: theoretical distinctions and empirical results. , 1988, Acta psychologica.