title: Manual asymmetries in the kinematics of a reach-to-grasp action.
abstract: In the present study, we manipulated the perceived demand of an ecologically valid task to investigate the possible presence of manual asymmetries in a reach-to-grasp action. Participants reached, grasped and sipped from a water glass under low (nearly empty) and high (nearly full) demand conditions. Participants reached to grasp in closed-loop, open-loop and delay visual conditions. Manual asymmetries were found in movement time, peak velocity and maximum grip aperture variability. Consistent with reach-to-point literature: (1) right-handed actions were completed in less time than left-handed actions in visually and memory-guided conditions; (2) right-handed movements were more accurate (i.e., produced more consistent maximum grip apertures) than left-handed movements in visually guided conditions. The results support a theory of left-hemisphere specialization for visual control of action.
authors.affiliation: a The Brain in Action Laboratory, Department of Kinesiology and Physical Education , University of Lethbridge , Lethbridge , Canada.
authors.forename: Jason W
authors.initials: JW
authors.lastname: Flindall
authors.forename: Jon B
authors.initials: JB
authors.lastname: Doan
authors.forename: Claudia L R
authors.initials: CL
authors.lastname: Gonzalez
mesh_terms: D000161:Acoustic Stimulation; D001696:Biomechanical Phenomena; D003463:Cues; D005260:Female; D007839:Functional Laterality / Q000502:physiology*; D018737:Hand Strength / Q000502:physiology*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009068:Movement / Q000502:physiology*; D010775:Photic Stimulation; D011597:Psychomotor Performance / Q000502:physiology*; D055815:Young Adult