Is Dynamics the Content of a Generalized Motor Program for Rhythmic Interlimb Coordination?

Abstract

In 3 experiments, the author tested the hypothesis that coordination dynamics is the content of a generalized motor program (GMP) for rhythmic interlimb coordination. In Experiment 1, learners (N = 14) practiced a -90 degrees movement with either identically timed or differently timed limbs. Both acquisition and transfer to novel (effector and pattern) timings were unaffected by the learning condition and were suggestive of the intrinsic dynamics for in-phase and antiphase. In Experiment 2, learners' (N = 13) acquisition of 2 different phase relations (-90 degrees and -45 degrees) was qualitatively identical. Attractor reconstruction revealed an increase in the predictability of individual movement trajectories and a decrease in attractor dimensionality over learning. Transfer for both -90 degrees and -45 degrees was again suggestive of the intrinsic dynamics. In Experiment 3, learning altered participants' (N = 8) performance of in-phase and antiphase relations. Together, the results suggested a single continuum of phase relations, called an attractor landscape, that produces similar patterns of CE and VE for both previously stable and learned coordinations.

The Use of (Symmetry) Group Theory as a Predictive Tool for Studying Bimanual Coordination

“…Therefore, the reflectionally symmetric body performs the reflectionally symmetric behavioral patterns of in-phase and antiphase. Despite innumerable documented differences between the two phase relations (e.g., their differential stability, Haken et al, 1985;Kelso, 1984; differences in how they are affected by learning, P. G. Amazeen, 2002;Zanone & Kelso, 1992), it is important to note their significant similarity in the context of group theory-they both possess symmetry over a reflectional transformation.…”

Motor coordination dynamics underlying graphic motion in 7- to 11-year-old children

“…If adult handwriting is the result of long practice during childhood, a seductive hypothesis is that the graphic patterns preferential in adults are acquired following a generic dynamic principle of learning, in particular those revealed in learning new relative phase patterns with practice (Zanone & Kelso, 1992. Under the assumption that the in-phase pattern (0°) and antiphase pattern (180°) are two intrinsic patterns present in many motor coordination instances in children as well (e.g., Lantero & Ringenbach, 2009;Volman & Geuze, 2000), learning the most difficult patterns ($60°and 120°) may occur by stabilizing the intermediate pattern at 90°first, a route identified in learning bimanual coordination patterns (Amazeen, 2002;Atchy-Dalama et al, 2005;Tallet et al, 2008). Indeed, learning a new 135°pattern for participants initially characterized with two attractors at 0°and 180°is preceded by the stabilization of a first pattern located at 90°.…”

Near Infrared Spectroscopy for Improving Breast Core Needle Biopsy

“…ADAPT is hypothesized to be useful in aiding acquisition by pointing to areas in need of improvement. A dynamical system modeling approach has also been applied to the acquisition of motor skill (e.g., Amazeen, 2002;Kelso & Zanone, 2002;Zanone & Kelso, 1992;.…”

“…ADAPT is hypothesized to be useful in aiding acquisition by pointing to areas in need of improvement. A dynamical system modeling approach has also been applied to the acquisition of motor skill (e.g., Amazeen, 2002;Kelso & Zanone, 2002;Zanone & Kelso, 1992;.Despite this relatively large body of work on skill acquisition, a review of the literature reveals that very little research has been done on skill acquisition at the team level. Do teams demonstrate the same types of acquisition and retention functions as individuals?…”