title: Muscle cocontraction following dynamics learning.
abstract: Coactivation of antagonist muscles is readily observed early in motor learning, in interactions with unstable mechanical environments and in motor system pathologies. Here we present evidence that the nervous system uses coactivation control far more extensively and that patterns of cocontraction during movement are closely tied to the specific requirements of the task. We have examined the changes in cocontraction that follow dynamics learning in tasks that are thought to involve finely sculpted feedforward adjustments to motor commands. We find that, even following substantial training, cocontraction varies in a systematic way that depends on both movement direction and the strength of the external load. The proportion of total activity that is due to cocontraction nevertheless remains remarkably constant. Moreover, long after indices of motor learning and electromyographic measures have reached asymptotic levels, cocontraction still accounts for a significant proportion of total muscle activity in all phases of movement and in all load conditions. These results show that even following dynamics learning in predictable and stable environments, cocontraction forms a central part of the means by which the nervous system regulates movement.
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychology, McGill University, 1205 Dr. Penfield Avenue, Montreal, QC, Canada, H3A 1B1.
authors.forename: Mohammad
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Darainy
authors.forename: David J
authors.initials: DJ
authors.lastname: Ostry
mesh_terms: D000222:Adaptation, Physiological / Q000502:physiology; D000328:Adult; D001132:Arm / Q000294:innervation / Q000502:physiology; D001696:Biomechanical Phenomena; D002490:Central Nervous System / Q000502:physiology*; D004551:Elbow Joint / Q000502:physiology; D004576:Electromyography; D006801:Humans; D007858:Learning / Q000502:physiology*; D008297:Male; D009068:Movement / Q000502:physiology*; D009119:Muscle Contraction / Q000502:physiology*; D052580:Muscle Stretching Exercises; D018482:Muscle, Skeletal / Q000294:innervation / Q000502:physiology*; D011597:Psychomotor Performance / Q000502:physiology*; D016059:Range of Motion, Articular / Q000502:physiology; D012785:Shoulder Joint / Q000502:physiology; D013663:Teaching; D016474:Weight-Bearing / Q000502:physiology