However, within a few trials the control group of children had adapted to the new condition and performed movements of the same accuracy as before the change. Directly after this gain change both the children or youths with MMC and the typically developed children overshot the target. After having performed a number of trials (around 100) we changed the gain of the mouse.
This was done by first letting the subjects perform reaching movements at targets displayed on a computer screen. In everyday life we rapidly and frequently adapt our movements to changing conditions, such as when we switch to new cars with different transmission in the steering system or simply when we switch to a light hammer after having used a heavy one.Īgain, using the described experimental setup with a digitizing tablet linked to a computer, we investigated the ability in subjects with MMC to adapt reaching movements to a new visuomotor gain ( Norrlin & Rösblad, 2004). Motor adaptation involves changes in the control of movements and can be seen as short-term learning. The nervous system modifies the programming of subsequent movements to prevent errors and motor adaptation occurs rapidly. If the gain of the mouse is changed we will under- or overshoot the target on the computer screen, but only a few times. When we use a computer mouse we get used to the specific gain of that mouse and take this into account when we program the movements of hand that will transfer the mouse. Our sensory motor system is highly adaptable.
Birgit Rösblad, in Hand Function in the Child (Second Edition), 2006 ADAPTATION OF REACHING MOVEMENTS
0 kommentar(er)
