The effect of inherent and incidental constraints on bimanual force control in simulated Martian gravity

Hum Mov Sci. 2024 Mar 20;95:103199. doi: 10.1016/j.humov.2024.103199. Online ahead of print.ABSTRACTThe ability to coordinate actions between the limbs is important for many operationally relevant tasks associated with space exploration. A future milestone in space exploration is sending humans to Mars. Therefore, an experiment was designed to examine the influence of inherent and incidental constraints on the stability characteristics associated with the bimanual control of force in simulated Martian gravity. A head-up tilt (HUT)/head-down tilt (HDT) paradigm was used to simulate gravity on Mars (22.3° HUT). Right limb dominant participants (N = 11) were required to rhythmically coordinate patterns of isometric forces in 1:1 in-phase and 1:2 multifrequency patterns by exerting force with their right and left limbs. Lissajous displays were provided to guide task performance. Participants performed 14 twenty-second practice trials at 90° HUT (Earth). Following a 30-min rest period, participants performed 2 test trials for each coordination pattern in both Earth and Mars conditions. Performance during the test trials were compared. Results indicated very effective temporal performance of the goal coordination tasks in both gravity conditions. However, results indicated differences associated with the production of force between Earth and Mars. In general, participants produced less force in simulated Martian gravity than in the Earth condition. In addition, force production w...

Source: Human Movement Science - March 22, 2024 Category: Neurology Authors: Yiyu Wang Osmar P Neto Madison Weinrich Renee Abbott Ana Diaz-Artiles Deanna M Kennedy Source Type: research