title: The effects of rate and sequence complexity on repetitive finger movements.
abstract: We studied the effects of movement rate and sequence complexity on the execution of externally paced finger movements. Simple thumb-index opposition movements (SEQ1), oppositions of thumb to index, medium, ring and little fingers (SEQ2), and oppositions of thumb to index, ring, medium and little fingers (SEQ3) were paced by a metronome at rates that ranged from 0.5 to 5 Hz. At rates higher than 2.5 Hz touch duration, as well as spatial and timing accuracy changed, although with a different pattern, for the sequences. Delayed movements were mostly present at lowest rates in SEQ1; at 0.5 Hz and at frequencies higher than 3.5 Hz in SEQ2; at rates higher than 3.5 Hz in SEQ3. Syncopation occurred at rates higher than 3 Hz but only for SEQ2 and SEQ3 when movements are delayed. Power spectrum analysis of timing error series indicated that SEQ1 performance is influenced by memory-related processes at all movement rates. On the other hand, for the other two sequences, at rates higher than 4 Hz the timing error series exhibit a slight but significant reduction of its long-range correlation characteristics. These findings suggest that different strategies are used for sensorimotor processing when the movement rate and sequence complexity are increased.
authors: Department of Experimental Medicine, Section of Human Physiology, University of Genoa, Viale Benedetto XV, 3, Genoa 16132, Italy. marco.bove@unige.it
authors: Marco
authors: M
authors: Bove
authors: Andrea
authors: A
authors: Tacchino
authors: Antonio
authors: A
authors: Novellino
authors: Carlo
authors: C
authors: Trompetto
authors: Giovanni
authors: G
authors: Abbruzzese
authors: M Felice
authors: MF
authors: Ghilardi
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000704:Analysis of Variance; D001696:Biomechanical Phenomena; D005260:Female; D005385:Fingers / Q000502:physiology*; D006801:Humans; D016014:Linear Models; D008297:Male; D009068:Movement / Q000502:physiology*; D011597:Psychomotor Performance / Q000502:physiology*; D013057:Spectrum Analysis; D013997:Time Factors; D013998:Time Perception / Q000502:physiology*; D014110:Touch