Changes in muscle recruitment patterns during skill acquisition

R G Carson; Stephan Riek

doi:10.1007/s002210100676

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Changes in muscle recruitment patterns during skill acquisition

Journal article

Peer reviewed

Changes in muscle recruitment patterns during skill acquisition

R G Carson and Stephan Riek

Experimental Brain Research, Vol.138(1), pp.71-87

2001

DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s002210100676

PMID: 11374085

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https://doi.org/10.1007/s002210100676View

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Abstract

Motor Activity - physiology

Humans

Forearm - innervation

Male

Muscle, Skeletal - innervation

Muscle, Skeletal - physiology

Orientation - physiology

Psychomotor Performance - physiology

Learning - physiology

Biomechanical Phenomena

Movement - physiology

Adult

Electromyography

The control of movement is predicated upon a system of constraints of musculoskeletal and neural origin. The focus of the present study was upon the manner in which such constraints are adapted or superseded during the acquisition of motor skill. Individuals participated in five experimental sessions, in which they attempted to produce abduction-adduction movements of the index finger in time with an auditory metronome. During each trial, the metronome frequency was increased in eight steps from an individually determined base frequency. Electromyographic (EMG) activity was recorded from first dorsal interosseous (FDI), first volar interosseous (FVI), flexor digitorum superficialis (FDS), and extensor digitorum communis (EDC) muscles. The movements produced on the final day of acquisition more accurately matched the required profile, and exhibited greater spatial and temporal stability, than those generated during initial performance. In the early stages of skill acquisition, an alternating pattern of activation in FDI and FVI was maintained, even at the highest frequencies. In contrast, as the frequency of movement was increased, activity in FDS and EDC was either tonic or intermittent. As learning proceeded, alterations in recruitment patterns were expressed primarily in the extrinsic muscles (EDC and FDS). These changes took the form of increases in the postural role of these muscles, shifts to phasic patterns of activation, or selective disengagement of these muscles. These findings suggest that there is considerable flexibility in the composition of muscle synergies, which is exploited by individuals during the acquisition of coordination.

Details

Title: Changes in muscle recruitment patterns during skill acquisition
Authors: R G Carson (Author) - University of Queensland
Stephan Riek (Author) - University of Queensland
Publication details: Experimental Brain Research, Vol.138(1), pp.71-87
Publisher: Springer
DOI: 10.1007/s002210100676
ISSN: 1432-1106
PMID: 11374085
Organisation Unit: Graduate Research School; University of the Sunshine Coast, Queensland
Language: English
Record Identifier: 99472599602621
Output Type: Journal article

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