Constraints on arm selection processes when reaching: degrees of freedom and joint amplitudes interact to influence limb selection. Academic Article uri icon

abstract

  • With an interest in identifying the variables that constrain arm choice when reaching, the authors had 11 right-handed participants perform free-choice and assigned-limb reaches at 9 object positions. The right arm was freely selected 100% of the time when reaching to positions at 30 and 40 into right hemispace. However, the left arm was freely selected to reach to positions at -30 and -40 in left hemispace 85% of the time. A comparison between free- and assigned-limb reaching kinematics revealed that free limb selection when reaching to the farthest positions was constrained by joint amplitude requirements and the time devoted to limb deceleration. Differences between free- and assigned-arm reaches were not evident when reaching to the midline and positions of 10, even though the right arm was freely selected most often for these positions. Different factors contribute to limb selection as a function of distance into a specific hemispace.

published proceedings

  • J Mot Behav

author list (cited authors)

  • Kim, W., Buchanan, J., & Gabbard, C.

citation count

  • 10

complete list of authors

  • Kim, Wondae||Buchanan, John||Gabbard, Carl

publication date

  • January 2011