Choice Reaction Time of Elbow Flexion and Extension during Passive Elbow Motions

The effect of passive elbow motions on electromyographic reaction times (EMG-RTs) of the biceps brachii for elbow flexion and the triceps for elbow extension was investigated in 8 normal subjects, using a choice-RT task, in which the subject was uncertain about the response direction to perform until the arrival of response signal after the passive motion started. Compared to the static condition, choice EMG-RTs shortened only when the direction of passive and response movements was the same. It seems that passive motions act as prior information on direction of movement in the choice-RT task.