Seeing action simulation as it unfolds: The implicit effects of action scenes on muscle contraction evidenced through the use of a grip-force sensor

Publication date: Available online 27 April 2018 Source:Neuropsychologia Author(s): J. Blampain, L. Ott, Y.N. Delevoye-Turrell Action simulation is a cognitive process that mentally simulates a motor act without performing it in the true external world. Simulation mechanisms play a key role in perceiving, feeling and understanding actions executed by others. However, very little is known about the process dynamics because of the absence of a behavioral tool to probe directly the action simulation process as it unfolds. Twenty-seven healthy adults were required to hold a force sensor in a relaxed pinch-grip while viewing action videos of different intensities: wait (null); touch (low); move (medium); crush (high). When contrasting the variations in grip force (GFv) across conditions, results indicated that GFv started to increase and peaked respectively 200 and 400 ms after the moment of effector-object contact. In the wait condition, GFv remained flat throughout the trial confirming an absence of simulation engagement. Peak GFv was greater for the high and medium than for the low intensity videos suggesting greater brain activity overflow to the peripheral motor system when simulating more effortful body movements. These effects were negatively correlated with the motor imagery abilities of the participants, with greater GFv in the poor imagers as determined by the Movement Imagery Questionnaire. Our results confirm the possibility of using a non-invasive grip force sens...

Source: Neuropsychologia - April 28, 2018 Category: Neurology Source Type: research