CHOOSING A CONTROL STRATEGY IN UNSTABLE BIMANUAL TASK

摘要

This study examines how subjects learn a stable control strategy in an unstable bimanual task. The task is to control the position of a mass in a divergent force field using two non-linear springs that increase their stiffness when stretched. To stabilize the load, subjects can implement stiffness control, during which large forces are applied to the springs to increase its mechanical stiffness, or intermittent control, during which force impulses are intermittently applied. The first strategy is simple but fatiguing, while the second strategy is less fatiguing but requires the application of carefully timed force bursts. Preliminary results indicate that subjects can adopt one strategy or the other.