title: Relativistic effects in single-joint voluntary movements.
abstract: We assume that there is an upper limit for the rate of change of controlled variables in the motor control system. Superposition of two single-joint motor programs can lead to a distortion of their simple algebraic summation similar to relativistic Lorenz transformations. Experiments were carried out with the subjects performing fast oscillatory elbow movements on the background of a smooth elbow flexion. Changes in the period of oscillations during the smooth movement were used as index of time transformations. Statistically 5%-7% changes in the period were observed for each of the subjects corresponding to the predictions of the model.
authors.affiliation: Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Rush Medical College, Chicago, IL 60612.
authors.forename: M L
authors.initials: ML
authors.lastname: Latash
authors.forename: S R
authors.initials: SR
authors.lastname: Gutman
authors.forename: G L
authors.initials: GL
authors.lastname: Gottlieb
mesh_terms: D006801:Humans; D007596:Joints / Q000502:physiology*; D008433:Mathematics; D008954:Models, Biological; D009068:Movement / Q000502:physiology*; D009991:Oscillometry; D013997:Time Factors