title: Proprioceptive coordination of movement sequences in humans.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To estimate the processing time and neuromuscular delay required to extract and process sensory information from the ankle in order to coordinate an upper extremity movement sequence.
  
  
  METHODS
  Nineteen able-bodied subjects were tested on their ability to perform a motor task that involved extension of their left index finger when their left ankle was passively plantar flexed at random velocities through a predetermined target angle.
  
  
  RESULTS
  We found that the able-bodied subjects were able to adjust their finger responses up to ankle velocities of 70 degrees /s (300 ms). Reaction time, defined as the delay between onset of ankle rotation and how quickly the index finger could be extended, was 215 ms. The processing time and conduction delay was estimated to be approximately 85 ms.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  These results indicate that the nervous system processes kinesthetic input related to joint rotation of the ankle with the central mechanisms to execute a planned coordinated task with the upper extremity.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The time required to process proprioceptive information from the leg to perform a coordinated task with the upper extremity may vary throughout the lifespan. Understanding the effects of age, exercise, or injury on proprioceptive processing time may have important clinical implications.
authors.affiliation: Graduate Program in Physical Therapy and Rehabilitation Science, Carver College of Medicine, The University of Iowa, 1-252 Medical Education Building, Iowa City, IA 52242-1190, USA. richard-shields@uiowa.edu
authors.forename: Richard K
authors.initials: RK
authors.lastname: Shields
authors.forename: Sangeetha
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Madhavan
authors.forename: Keith R
authors.initials: KR
authors.lastname: Cole
authors.forename: Jared D
authors.initials: JD
authors.lastname: Brostad
authors.forename: Jeanne L
authors.initials: JL
authors.lastname: Demeulenaere
authors.forename: Christopher D
authors.initials: CD
authors.lastname: Eggers
authors.forename: Patrick H
authors.initials: PH
authors.lastname: Otten
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000704:Analysis of Variance; D000842:Ankle / Q000502:physiology; D004576:Electromyography / Q000379:methods; D005246:Feedback / Q000502:physiology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009068:Movement / Q000502:physiology*; D009119:Muscle Contraction / Q000502:physiology; D018482:Muscle, Skeletal / Q000502:physiology; D009431:Neural Conduction / Q000502:physiology; D011434:Proprioception / Q000502:physiology*; D011597:Psychomotor Performance / Q000502:physiology*; D016059:Range of Motion, Articular / Q000502:physiology; D011930:Reaction Time / Q000502:physiology; D013997:Time Factors