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Emerging and disappearing synergies in a hierarchically controlled system

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Abstract

The purpose of the study was to explore the ability of the central nervous system (CNS) to organize synergies at two levels of a hypothetical control hierarchy involved in two-hand, multi-finger tasks. We investigated indices (ΔV) of finger force co-variation across trials as reflections of synergies stabilizing the total force (F TOT). Subjects produced constant force with one or two finger-pairs (from one hand or two hands). In trials starting with one finger-pair, subjects added another finger-pair without changing F TOT. In trials starting with two finger-pairs, subjects removed one of the finger-pairs without changing F TOT. Adding or removing a finger-pair resulted in a transient drop in ΔV computed for the finger-pair that remained active throughout the trial. This drop in ΔV was seen simultaneously with force changes. Compared to the original steady-state, addition of a finger-pair led to a significant drop in ΔV at the newly established steady-state. This drop eliminated negative co-variation among finger forces that had stabilized F TOT. In contrast, in trials starting with two finger-pairs, no negative co-variation between finger forces within-a-pair was seen. Removing a finger-pair led to the emergence of negative co-variation between finger forces at the new steady-state. The ΔV index computed across two finger-pairs confirmed the existence of negative force co-variation. The emergence and disappearance of force stabilizing synergies within a finger-pair may signal limitations in the ability of the CNS in forming synergies at two different hierarchical levels.

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Acknowledgment

The study was in part supported by NIH grants AG-018751, NS-035032, and AR-048563.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Kinesiology, The Pennsylvania State University, Rec.Hall-21, University Park, PA, 16802, USA

    Stacey L. Gorniak, Vladimir M. Zatsiorsky & Mark L. Latash

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  1. Stacey L. Gorniak
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  2. Vladimir M. Zatsiorsky
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  3. Mark L. Latash
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Correspondence to Stacey L. Gorniak.

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Gorniak, S.L., Zatsiorsky, V.M. & Latash, M.L. Emerging and disappearing synergies in a hierarchically controlled system. Exp Brain Res 183, 259–270 (2007). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00221-007-1042-9

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