Precision-Dependent Changes in Motor Variability During Sustained Bimanual Reaching

in Motor Control

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Alessia Longo Radboud University

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Ruud Meulenbroek Radboud University

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DOI:
https://doi.org/10.1123/mc.2016-0013
Keywords:
approximate entropy; bimanual Fitts’ task; movement variability; MSDs; repetitive movements
In Print:
Volume 22: Issue 1
Page Range:
28–44
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Movement variability of the upper limb was investigated using a bimanual Fitts’ task. Participants tapped rhythmically between target-pairs of different index of difficulties for three intervals of 20 min each. We studied the effects of index of difficulties and time-on-task on movement time, end-point variability, approximate entropy, and standard deviation of the relative phase. Lower index of difficulties and time-on-task caused decreasing movement time and increasing end-point variability. Moreover, standard deviation of the relative phase and approximate entropy moderately increased. By looking into the long-term effects of a sustained bimanual Fitts’ task, this is the first time such movement variability increase is demonstrated in multiple variability indices. The relevance of the findings for future studies on work-related musculoskeletal disorders is being discussed.

Longo and Meulenbroek are with the Donders Institute for Brain, Cognition and Behaviour, Radboud University, Nijmegen, The Netherlands.

Address author correspondence to Alessia Longo at a.longo@donders.ru.nl.
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