Abstract
A study was made of self-initiated and self-terminated elbow movements made by Cebus monkeys during performance of a self-paced step-tracking task. Movements were termed “continuous” if their acceleration traces crossed the zero line only once, and “discontinuous” if there was more than one zero crossing. Parameters of continuous and discontinuous movements were measured. Acceleration in continuous movements could oscillate at 7–8 Hz (“deviations”), and in discontinuous movements at 3–4 Hz (“steps”). Steps of discontinuous movements became smaller as movements approached their targets. Amplitudes of continuous movements and of steps were highly correlated to their durations, and fitted the same regression line. It is concluded that the variations of acceleration of continuous and discontinuous movements appear locked into harmonics of the same frequency. Their relationship to physiological tremor is discussed.
Access this chapter
Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout
Purchases are for personal use only
Preview
Unable to display preview. Download preview PDF.
Similar content being viewed by others
References
Berthoz, A. and Metral, S., 1970. Behaviour of a muscular group subjected to a sinusoidal and trapezoidal variation of force. J. Appl. Physiol. 29, 378–384.
Brooks, V.B., Kozlovskaya, I.B., Atkin, A., Horvath, F.E. and Uno, M., 1973. Effects of cooling the dentate nucleus on tracking-task performance in monkeys. J. Neurophysiol. 36, in press.
Brooks, V.B. and Stoney, S.D. Jr., 1971. Motor mechanisms: The role of the pyramidal system in motor control. Ann. Rev. Physiol. 33, 337–392.
Conrad, B. and Brooks, V.B., 1973. Effects of cooling the dentate nucleus on rapid alternating arm movements. Can. Physiol. 4, 29.
Eccles, J.C., 1969. The dynamic loop hypothesis of movement control. In Information Processing in the Nervous System. Springer-Verlag, N.Y. pp. 245–269.
Fox, J.R. and Randall, J.E., 1970. Relationship between forearm tremor and the biceps electromyogram. J. Appl. Physiol. 29, 103–108.
Joyce, G.C. and Rack, P.M.H., 1971a. The effect of force on elbow tremor. J. Physiol. 216, 29–30P.
Joyce, G.C. and Rack, P.M.H., 1971b. The effect of load on elbow tremor. J. Physiol. 217, 36–37P.
Kozlovskaya, I., Uno, M. and Brooks, V.B., 1970. Performance of a step-tracking task by monkeys. Comm. Behav. Biol., 5, 153–156.
Kozlovskaya, I.B., Atkin, A., Horvath, F.E., Uno, M. and Brooks, V.B., 1973. Mechanisms of motor control of two types of tracking movements in monkeys. Proc. 2nd Int. Symp. on Motor Control, Varna, Bulgaria. Agressologie 14A, 49–57.
Lippold, O.C.J., 1970. Oscillation in the stretch reflex arc and the origin of the rhythmical 8–12 c/s component of the physiological tremor. J. Physiol. 206, 359–382.
Lippold, O.C.J., Redfearn, J.W.T. and Vuco, J., 1959. The influence of afferent and descending pathways on the rhythmical and arhythmical components of muscular activity in man and anaesthetized cat. J. Physiol. 146, 1–9.
Stark, L., 1968. Neurological Control Systems. Plenum Press, N.Y. 428 pp.
Stetson, R.H., 1905. A motor theory of rhythm and discrete succession. I. Psychol. Rev. 12, 250–270.
Stetson, R.H. and McGill, J.A., 1923. Mechanisms of the different types of movements. Psychol. Monographs 32, 18–40.
Stetson, R.H. and Bouman, H.D., 1935. The coordination of simple skilled movements. Arch. Neerland. Physiol. 20, 179–254.
Stiles, R.N. and Randall, J.E., 1967. Mechanical factors in hand tremor frequency. J. Appl. Physiol. 23, 324–330.
Thomas, J.S., Cooke, J.D. and Brooks, V.B., 1973. Movement reorganization during reversible dentate dysfunction and feedback forcings. Fed. Proc. 32, 419.
Woodworth, R.S., 1899. The accuracy of voluntary movement. Psychol. Monographs 3, 1–114.
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Editor information
Editors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
Copyright information
© 1973 Plenum Press, New York
About this chapter
Cite this chapter
Brooks, V.B., Cooke, J.D., Thomas, J.S. (1973). The Continuity of Movements. In: Stein, R.B., Pearson, K.G., Smith, R.S., Redford, J.B. (eds) Control of Posture and Locomotion. Advances in Behavioral Biology, vol 7. Springer, Boston, MA. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4613-4547-3_22
Download citation
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4613-4547-3_22
Publisher Name: Springer, Boston, MA
Print ISBN: 978-1-4613-4549-7
Online ISBN: 978-1-4613-4547-3
eBook Packages: Springer Book Archive