The origins of physiological tremor as deduced from immersions of the finger in various liquids

Abstract. To investigate the influence of gravity on physiological tremor during a holding stretch of the finger, tremor during immersion of the finger in liquids was measured. Liquids with various densities and various coefficients of viscosity were used. Tremor was detected using an acceleration sensor, and power spectrum analysis was performed on the acceleration signal of the tremor. The total power of the tremor spectrum decreased with an increase of the density and an increase of the coefficient of viscosity, the high frequency domain of the tremor spectrum showing a larger decrease than the low frequency domain. Linear regression analysis showed that the viscosity of the liquid had a larger effect on tremor than the buoyancy due to the liquid. A model was proposed for tremor during immersion of the finger in liquid. The effect of the buoyancy and the viscosity on tremor was examined using the proposed model. The origin of two frequency bands in the tremor spectrum was verified by both the immersion experiment and the proposed model. The stretch-reflex system via the spinal cord produced a high frequency band around 25 Hz, while the supraspinal system caused a low frequency band around 10 Hz. The neuromuscular function of the human body was evaluated using the amplitude and the frequency of tremor.

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