2000 Fiscal Year Final Research Report Summary

MOTOR CONTROL FOR STABILITY OF HUMAN RHYTHMIC MOVEMENT

Research Project

Project/Area Number	11680009
Research Category	Grant-in-Aid for Scientific Research (C)
Allocation Type	Single-year Grants
Section	一般
Research Field	体育学
Research Institution	HOKKAIDO UNIVERSITY
Principal Investigator	YAMADA Norimasa Hokkaido Univ., Grad. School of Education., Asso. Prof., 大学院・教育学研究科, 助教授 (00210469)
Project Period (FY)	1999 – 2000
Keywords	rhythmical movement / joint stiffness / central pattern generator / afferent signal
Research Abstract	The purpose of this study is to investigate the motor control mechanism for stability of human rhythmic movement. The stiffness change with increasing movement frequency was checked experimentally using EMG signals. Subjects extended and flexed their elbow joints rhythmically at frequency ranging from 1.0 to 3.0 Hz in step of 0.5 Hz. It was found that the joint stiffness was readjusted with increasing forcing frequency. A simulation study of the elbow Joint motions using a model of interaction between neural system and skeletal system confirmed that if the readjustment of the joint stiffness was not done the stability of rhythmical movement was lost. These simulation data supported the experimental data.

(4 results)