HOME HELP FEEDBACK SUBSCRIPTIONS ARCHIVE SEARCH TABLE OF CONTENTS		QUICK SEARCH:   [advanced] Author: Keyword(s): Year:  Vol:  Page:

This Article Full Text Full Text (PDF) All Versions of this Article: 92/1/349    most recent 00960.2003v1 Alert me when this article is cited Alert me if a correction is posted Citation Map Services Email this article to a friend Similar articles in this journal Similar articles in ISI Web of Science Similar articles in PubMed Alert me to new issues of the journal Download to citation manager Citing Articles Citing Articles via HighWire Citing Articles via ISI Web of Science (23) Citing Articles via Google Scholar Google Scholar Articles by Wang, J. Articles by Sainburg, R. L. Search for Related Content PubMed PubMed Citation Articles by Wang, J. Articles by Sainburg, R. L.

Interlimb Transfer of Novel Inertial Dynamics Is Asymmetrical

Department of Kinesiology, The Pennsylvania State University, University Park, Pennsylvania 16802

Submitted 3 October 2003; accepted in final form 11 March 2004

Mechanisms underlying interlimb transfer of adaptation to visuomotor rotations have recently been explored in depth. However, little data are available regarding interlimb transfer of adaptation to novel inertial dynamics. The present study thus investigated interlimb transfer of dynamics by examining the effect of initial training with one arm on subsequent performance with the other in adaptation to a 1.5-kg mass attached eccentrically to the forearm. Using inverse dynamic analysis, we examined the changes in torque strategies associated with adaptation to the extra mass, and with interlimb transfer of that adaptation. Following initial training with the dominant arm, nondominant arm performance improved substantially in terms of linearity and initial direction control as compared with naïve performance. However, initial training with the nondominant arm had no effect on subsequent performance with the dominant arm. Inverse dynamic analysis revealed that improvements in kinematics were implemented by increasing flexor muscle torques at the elbow to counter load-induced increases in extensor interaction torques as well as increasing flexor muscle torques at the shoulder to counter the extensor actions of elbow muscle torque. Following opposite arm adaptation, the nondominant arm adopted this dynamic strategy early in adaptation. These findings suggest that dominant arm adaptation to novel inertial dynamics leads to information that can be accessed and utilized by the opposite arm controller, but not vice versa. When compared with our previous findings on interlimb transfer of visuomotor rotations, our current findings suggest that adaptations to visuomotor and dynamic transformations are mediated by distinct neural mechanisms.

This article has been cited by other articles:

				S. Tremblay, G. Houle, and D. J. Ostry Specificity of Speech Motor Learning J. Neurosci., March 5, 2008; 28(10): 2426 - 2434. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				A. A. G. Mattar and D. J. Ostry Modifiability of Generalization in Dynamics Learning J Neurophysiol, December 1, 2007; 98(6): 3321 - 3329. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				N. Malfait, P. L. Gribble, and D. J. Ostry Generalization of Motor Learning Based on Multiple Field Exposures and Local Adaptation J Neurophysiol, June 1, 2005; 93(6): 3327 - 3338. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				N. Malfait and D. J. Ostry Is Interlimb Transfer of Force-Field Adaptation a Cognitive Response to the Sudden Introduction of Load? J. Neurosci., September 15, 2004; 24(37): 8084 - 8089. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]