Summary
In the previous paper regarding the somatosensory control of the human precision grip, we concluded that the elicited automatic grip force adjustments are graded by the amplitude of the imposed loads when restraining an ‘active’ object subjected to unpredictable pulling forces (Johansson et al. 1992a). Using the same subjects and apparatus, the present study examines the capacity to respond to imposed load forces applied at various rates. Grip and load forces (forces normal and tangential to the grip surfaces) and the position of the object in the pulling direction (distal) were recorded. Trapezoidal load force profiles with plateau amplitudes of 2 N were delivered at the following rates of loading and unloading in an unpredictable sequence: 2 N/s, 4 N/s or 8 N/s. In addition, trials with higher load rate (32 N/s) at a low amplitude (0.7 N) were intermingled. The latencies between the start of the loading and the onset of the grip force response increased with decreasing load force rate. They were 80±9ms, 108 ±13ms, 138 ± 27 ms and 174 ± 39 ms for the 32, 8, 4 and 2 N/s rates, respectively. These data suggested that the grip response was elicited after a given minimum latency once a load amplitude threshold was exceeded. The amplitude of the initial rapid increase of grip force (i.e., the ‘catch-up’ response) was scaled by the rate of the load force, whereas its time course was similar for all load rates. This response was thus elicited as a unit, but its amplitude was graded by afferent information about the load rate arising very early during the loading. The scaling of the catch-up response was purposeful since it facilitated a rapid reconciliation of the ratio between the grip and load force to prevent slips. In that sense it apparently also compensated for the varying delays between the loading phase and the resultant grip force responses. However, modification of the catch-up response may occur during its course when the loading rate is altered prior to the grip force response or very early during the catch-up response itself. Hence, afferent information may be utilized continuously in updating the response although its motor expression may be confined to certain time contingencies. Moreover, this updating may take place after an extremely short latency (45–50 ms). Our findings support the idea that the initiation as well as ongoing regulation of the motor responses is dependent on supraspinal control, but afferent signals directly processed through fast segmental networks may also contribute in the regulation. The grip force responses to the unloading phases, they were also graded by the load force rate and the response latencies increased with decreasing load force rate. However, the latencies were longer and more variable, and no catch-up responses were observed. Rather, the grip force decline was programmed for the inter-trial grip force level.
Similar content being viewed by others
References
Bernstein N (1967) The co-ordination and regulation of movements. Pergamon Press, Oxford
Brooks VB (1979) Some examples of programmed limb movements. Brain Res 71: 299–308
Burgess PR, Perl ER (1973) Cutaneous mechanoreceptors and nociceptors. In: Iggo A (eds) Somatosensory system. Handbook of sensory physiology, Vol II. Springer, Berlin, pp 29–78
Cole KJ, Abbs JH (1987) Kinematic and electromyographic responses to perturbation of a rapid grasp. J Neurophysiol 57: 1498–1510
Cole KJ, Abbs JH (1988) Grip force adjustments evoked by load force perturbations of grasped object. J Neurophysiol 60: 1513–1522
Cooke JD, Diggles VA (1984) Rapid error correction during human arm movements: evidence for central monitoring. J Mot Behav 16, 348–363
Cordo PJ, Flanders M (1989) Sensory control of target acquisition. Trends Neurosci 12: 110–116
Datta AK, Harrison LM, Stephens JA (1989) Task-dependent changes in the size of response to magnetic brain stimulation in human first dorsal interosseous muscle. J Physiol (Lond) 418: 13–23
Desmedt JE, Godaux E (1978) Ballistic skilled movements: load compensation and patterning of the motor commands. In: Desmedt JE (eds) Progress in clinical Neurophysiology, Vol 4. Cerebral motor control in man: long loop mechanisms. Karger, Basel, pp 21–55
Diener HC, Horak FB, Nashner LM (1988) Influence of stimulus parameters on human postural responses. J Neurophysiol 50: 1888–1905
Espinoza E, Smith AM (1990) Purkinje cell simple spike activity during grasping and lifting of different textures and weights. J Neurophysiol 64: 698–714
Evans AL, Harrison LM, Stephens JA (1989) Task-dependent changes in cutaneous reflexes recorded from various muscles controlling finger movement in man. J Physiol (Lond) 418: 1–12
Evarts EV (1971) Feedback and corollary discharge: a merging of the concepts. Neurosci Res Prog Bull 9: 86–112
Evarts EV, Shinoda Y, Wise SP (1984) Neurophysiological approaches to higher brain functions. New York, Wiley
Freund H-J, Budingen HJ (1978) The relationship between speed and amplitude of the fastest voluntary contractions of human arm muscles. Exp Brain Res 32: 1–12
Georgopoulos AP, Kalaska JP, Massey JT (1981) Spatial trajectories and reaction times of aimed movements: effects of practice, uncertainty, and change in target location. Exp Brain Res 31: 1–12
Ghez C, Vicario D (1978) The control of rapid limb movements in the cat. I. Response latency. Exp Brain Res 33: 173–189
Ghez C, Hening W, Favilla M (1990) Parallel interacting channels in the initiation and specification of motor response features. In: Jeannerod M (eds) Attention and performance XIII. Motor representation and control. Lawrence Erlbaum, Hillsdale New Jersey, pp 265–293
Gordon J, Ghez C (1987a) Trajectory control of targeted force impulses. II. Pulse height control. Exp Brain Res 67: 241–252
Gordon J, Ghez C (1987b) Trajectory control of targeted force impulses. III. Compensatory adjustments for initial errors. Exp Brain Res 67: 253–269
Grillner S (1975) Locomotion in vertebrates: Central mechanisms and reflex interaction. Physiol Rev 55: 247–304
Hening W, Favilla M, Ghez C (1988) Trajectory control of targeted force impulses. V. Gradual specification of response amplitude. Exp Brain Res 71: 116–128
Higgins JR, Angle RW (1970) Correction of tracking errors without sensory feedback. J Exp Psychol 84: 412–416
Hollerbach JM, Flash T (1982) Dynamic interaction between limb segments during planar arm movements. Biol Cybern 44: 67–77
Johansson RS, Vallbo ÅB (1979) Detection of tactile stimuli. Thresholds of afferent units related to psychophysical thresholds in the human hand. J Physiol (Lond) 297: 405–422
Johansson RS, Westling G (1984) Roles of glabrous skin receptors and sensorimotor memory in automatic control of precision grip when lifting rougher or more slippery objects. Exp Brain Res 56: 550–564
Johansson RS, Westling G (1987) Signals in tactile afferents from the fingers eliciting adaptive motor responses during precision grip. Exp Brain Res 66: 141–154
Johansson RS, Westling G (1988a) Coordinated isometric muscle commands adequately and erroneously programmed for the weight during lifting task with precision grip. Exp Brain Res 71: 59–71
Johansson RS, Westling G (1988b) Programmed and triggered actions to rapid load changes during precision grip. Exp Brain Res 71: 72–86
Johansson RS, Riso R, Häger C, Bäckström (1992a) Somatosensory control of precision grip during unpredictable pulling loads: I. Changes in load force amplitude. Exp Brain Res 89: 181–191
Johansson RS, Häger C, Bäckström L (1992b) Somatosensory control of precision grip during unpredictable pulling loads: III. Impairments during digital anesthesia. Exp Brain Res 89: 204–213
Lawrence DG, Kuypers HGJM (1968) The functional organization of the motor system in the monkey. I. The effects of bilateral pyramidal lesions. Brain 91: 1–14
Lee RG, Murphy JT, Tatton WG (1983). Long-latency myotatic reflexes in man: Mechanisms, functional significance, and changes in patients with Parkinson's disease or hemiplegia. In: Desmedt JE (eds) Motor control mechanisms in health and disease. Raven Press, New York, pp 489–508
Marsden CD, Merton PA, Morton HB (1981) Human postural responses. Brain 104: 513–534
Matthews PBC (1984) The contrasting stretch reflex responses of the long and short flexor muscles in the human thumb. J Physiol (Lond) 348: 545–558
Matthews PBC (1989) Long-latency stretch reflexes of two intrinsic muscles of the human hand analysed by cooling the arm. J Physiol (Lond) 419: 519–538
Megaw ED (1974) Possible modification to rapid on-going programmed manual response. Brain Res 71: 425–441
Meyer DE, Osman AM, Irwin DE, Yantis SJ (1988) Modern mental chronometry. Biol Psychol 26: 3–67
Muir RB, Lemon RN (1983) Corticospinal neurones with a special role in precision grip. Brain Res 261: 312–316
Nashner LM (1979) Organization and programming of motor activity during posture control. Prog Brain Res 50: 177–184
Navas F, Stark L (1968) Sampling or intermittency in hand controlled systems dynamics. Biophys J 8: 252–302
Oscarsson O (1973) Functional organization of spinocerebellar paths. In: Iggo A (eds) Somatosensory system. Handbook of sensory physiology, Vol II. Springer, Berlin, pp 339–380
Phillips CG, Porter R (1977) Corticospinal neurones. Academic Press, London
Poulton EC (1981) Human manual control. In: Brooks VB (eds) Handbook of physiology, Sect 1. The nervous system, Vol 2. Motor control. American Physiological Society, Bethesda, pp 1337–1389
Schieber MH (1990) How might the motor cortex individuate movements. Trends Neurosci 13: 440–445
Siegel S (1956) Nonparametric statistics for the behavioral sciences. McGraw-Hill, Tokyo
Soechting JF, Lacquaniti F (1981) Invariant characteristics of pointing movements in man. J Neurosci 1: 710–720
Taylor FV, Birmingham HP (1948) Studies of tracking behavior.II. The acceleration pattern of quick manual corrective responses. J Exp Psychol 38: 783–785
Traub JC, Rothwell JC, Marsden CD (1980) A grab reflex in the human hand. Brain 103: 869–884
Vicario DS, Ghez C (1984) The control of rapid limb movement in the cat. IV. Updating of ongoing isometric responses. Exp Brain Res 55: 134–144
Welford AT (1980) Reaction times. Academic Press, New York
Woodworth RS (1899) The accuracy of voluntary movement. Psychol Rev 3 (Suppl 13): 1–114
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Johansson, R.S., Häger, C. & Riso, R. Somatosensory control of precision grip during unpredictable pulling loads. Exp Brain Res 89, 192–203 (1992). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00229016
Received:
Accepted:
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00229016