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Effects of visual feedback absence on force control during isometric contraction

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Abstract

Purpose

The aim of the study was to evaluate the force control in the complete absence of visual feedback and the effect of repeated contractions without visual feedback.

Methods

Twelve physically active males (age 23 ± 1 years; stature 1.74 ± 0.07 m; body mass 71 ± 6 kg) performed isometric tasks at 20, 40 and 60 % maximal voluntary contraction (MVC) for 20 s. For each intensity, a trial with force visual feedback (FB) was followed by 3 trials without FB (noFB-1, noFB-2, noFB-3). During contraction, force and surface electromyogram (EMG) from the vastus lateralis muscle were recorded. From force signal, the coefficient of variation (CV, force stability index), the distance of force from target (ΔF, force accuracy index) and the time within the target (t-target) were determined. From EMG signal, the root mean square (RMS) and mean frequency (MF) were calculated.

Results

MVC was 679.14 ± 38.22 N. In noFB-1, CV was similar to FB, ΔF was higher and t-target lower (P < 0.05) than in FB. EMG-RMS in noFB-1 was lower than in FB at 40 and 60 %MVC (P < 0.05). A decrease in ΔF between noFB-1 and noFB-3 (P < 0.05) and an increase in t-target from noFB-1 to noFB-3 (P < 0.05) occurred at 20 % MVC. A difference in EMG-RMS among noFB conditions was retrieved only at 60 % MVC (P < 0.05).

Conclusions

These findings suggest that the complete absence of visual feedback decreased force accuracy but did not affect force stability. Moreover, the repetition of noFB trials improved force accuracy at low exercise intensity, suggesting that real-time visual information could be obviated by other feedbacks for force control.

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Abbreviations

CV:

Coefficient of variation

EMG:

Electromyographic signal

F:

Mean force

FB:

With visual feedback

MF:

Mean frequency

MVC:

Maximal voluntary contraction

noFB:

Without any form of visual feedback

RMS:

Root mean square

SD:

Standard deviation

t-target:

Time during which force was maintained within the target

ΔF:

Distance of the force signal from the required target

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Acknowledgments

The authors wish to thank all the participants who volunteered for this study for their patience and committed involvement. The study was supported by a PUR grant from University of Milan to Prof. Fabio Esposito.

Conflict of interest

No conflicts of interests to declare.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Biomedical Sciences for Health, University of Milan, Via G. Colombo 71, 20133, Milan, Italy

    Eloisa Limonta, Susanna Rampichini, Emiliano Cè & Fabio Esposito

  2. Don Gnocchi Foundation, Centre of Sport Medicine, Via Capecelatro 66, 20148, Milan, Italy

    Eloisa Limonta & Susanna Rampichini

Authors
  1. Eloisa Limonta
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  2. Susanna Rampichini
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  3. Emiliano Cè
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  4. Fabio Esposito
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Correspondence to Eloisa Limonta.

Additional information

Communicated by Toshio Moritani.

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Limonta, E., Rampichini, S., Cè, E. et al. Effects of visual feedback absence on force control during isometric contraction. Eur J Appl Physiol 115, 507–519 (2015). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00421-014-3036-1

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00421-014-3036-1

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