Coordination Mechanisms in Fast Human Movement. Experimental and Modelling Studies

摘要

Result summaries are provided for the modeling and experimental studies of coordination mechanisms in fast human movement. Both isotonic and isometric exercise regimens were used to produce two different levels of fatigue in the agonist or antagonist muscle groups. The triphasic EMG pattern associated with fast ballistic movement was shown to be affected chiefly by a lengthening of the agonist motor time. Faster movement times were produced by antagonist muscle fatigue and slower movement times by agonist muscle fatigue. Vibration was shown to be ineffective in altering the movement time and did not affect the learning progress. After development of a mathematical model to accurately predict movement time by relevant EMG measures, a patterned electrical stimulation technique was developed which simulates actual central nervous system innervation of the involved muscle groups. Application of patterned electrical stimulation was shown to produce predicted changes in the triphasic EMG pattern and improve the speed of limb movement by artificial means. Patterned electrical stimulation was not superior to actual physical practice at its present stage of development. Based upon demonstration improvements in limb movement speed produced by patterned electrical stimulation a reverse loop sensory imparted learning theory was formulated. Sensory imparted learning is a new form of motor learning for which current motor learning theory has no explanation.