title: Motivation and motor cortical activity can independently affect motor performance.
abstract: The present study explored the relationship between motor-preparatory electroencephalographic (EEG) activity, motivation, and motor performance (specifically premotor reaction time [RT]). Participants performed a RT task by squeezing a hand dynamometer in response to an auditory "go" signal. We recorded EEG and electromyography to index beta-suppression and premotor RT, respectively. Participants' motivation on each trial was modulated by offering monetary incentives at different magnitudes. Mixed-effect linear regression models showed that monetary incentive predicted premotor RT when controlling for beta-suppression, and beta-suppression independently predicted premotor RT. Thus, it appears motivation and beta-suppression can facilitate motor performance independent of one another. A plausible explanation of this effect is that motivation can affect motor performance independent of the motor cortex by influencing subcortical motor circuitry.
authors.affiliation: School of Kinesiology, Auburn University, 301 Wire Road, Auburn, AL 36849, USA. Electronic address: ccm0040@auburn.edu.
authors.forename: Caroline C
authors.initials: CC
authors.lastname: Meadows
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychology, University of Alabama, 505 Hackberry Lane, P.O. Box 870348, Tuscaloosa, AL 35487, USA. Electronic address: pagable@gmail.com.
authors.forename: Philip A
authors.initials: PA
authors.lastname: Gable
authors.affiliation: School of Kinesiology, Auburn University, 301 Wire Road, Auburn, AL 36849, USA. Electronic address: lohse@auburn.edu.
authors.forename: Keith R
authors.initials: KR
authors.lastname: Lohse
authors.affiliation: School of Kinesiology, Auburn University, 301 Wire Road, Auburn, AL 36849, USA. Electronic address: mwm0024@auburn.edu.
authors.forename: Matthew W
authors.initials: MW
authors.lastname: Miller
mesh_terms: D059031:Anticipation, Psychological / Q000502:physiology; D001611:Beta Rhythm / Q000502:physiology; D004569:Electroencephalography; D004576:Electromyography; D005260:Female; D006225:Hand / Q000502:physiology; D006801:Humans; D016014:Linear Models; D008297:Male; D009042:Motivation / Q000502:physiology*; D009043:Motor Activity / Q000502:physiology*; D009044:Motor Cortex / Q000502:physiology*; D053581:Muscle Strength Dynamometer; D018482:Muscle, Skeletal / Q000502:physiology; D011930:Reaction Time / Q000502:physiology; D055815:Young Adult
keywords: beta-suppression; electroencephalography; electromyography; incentives; premotor reaction time