Preparatory EMG Activity Reveals a Rapid Adaptation Pattern in Humans Performing Landing Movements in Blindfolded Condition

Abstract

The main questions addressed in this work were whether and how adaptation to suppression of visual information occurs in a free-fall paradigm, and the extent to which vision availability influences the control of landing movements. The prelanding modulation of EMG timing and amplitude of four lower-limb muscles was investigated. Participants performed six consecutive drop-landings from four different heights in two experimental conditions: with and without vision. Experimental design precluded participants from estimating the height of the drop. Since cues provided by proprioceptive and vestibular information acquired during the first trials were processed, the nervous system rapidly adapted to the lack of visual information, and hence produced a motor output (i.e., prelanding EMG modulation) similar to that observed when performing the activity with vision available.

Altered visual focus on sensorimotor control in people with chronic ankle instability

“…There were no significant differences in the sagittal-plane kinematics between the looking-up and looking-down conditions, which support previous studies examining the effect of vision on feed-forward motor control (Magalhães & Goroso, 2009). Magalhães and Goroso (2009) found that participants exhibited similar muscle activation patterns in the no-vision condition to that observed when performing the jump-landing task with vision available.…”

“…There were no significant differences in the sagittal-plane kinematics between the looking-up and looking-down conditions, which support previous studies examining the effect of vision on feed-forward motor control (Magalhães & Goroso, 2009). Magalhães and Goroso (2009) found that participants exhibited similar muscle activation patterns in the no-vision condition to that observed when performing the jump-landing task with vision available. The authors suggested the central nervous system rapidly adapted the lack of visual information through other afferent sources and feed-forward control, such as learned responses and previous experience with tasks (Magalhães & Goroso, 2009).…”

“…Magalhães and Goroso (2009) found that participants exhibited similar muscle activation patterns in the no-vision condition to that observed when performing the jump-landing task with vision available. The authors suggested the central nervous system rapidly adapted the lack of visual information through other afferent sources and feed-forward control, such as learned responses and previous experience with tasks (Magalhães & Goroso, 2009). The lack of differences in kinematic variables between the looking-up and looking-down conditions in our study may indicate that a modified visual focus is compensated by (1) reorganisation within the supra-spinal sensorimotor system, (2) sensory reweighting to use unimpaired somatosensory areas (somatosensory plasticity), or (3) a learning effect due to performing multiple practice and test trials.…”

“…While several studies have focused on the effect of CAI and altered visual focus separately on movement patterns in the lower extremity during a jump-landing task (Brown et al, 2012;Caulfield & Garrett, 2002;Gribble & Robinson, 2009Magalhães & Goroso, 2009;Santello et al, 2001), little research has examined the compensatory strategies for joint motions when visual focus is altered in individuals with CAI. It is important to assess how the interplay with modified visual input influences the movement patterns during a jump-landing task in individuals with CAI.…”

Myofeedback training and intensive muscular strength training to decrease pain and improve work ability among female workers on long-term sick leave with neck pain: a randomized controlled trial

“…Two studies of myofeedback showed positive results after 4 weeks training (Hermens and Hutten 2002; Voerman et al 2007). One study further supported the rapid changes in individual’s motor program after being provided visual information (EMG) (Magalhães and Goroso 2009). The significant increase in working activity in the muscular strength training group and among controls was not found in this group.…”