Biomaterial Database

Coupling of grip force and load force during arm movements with grasped objects. 1993

J R Flanagan, and J Tresilian, and A M Wing

MRC Applied Psychology Unit, Cambridge, UK.

Numerous studies have investigated the kinematics of arm movements; others have examined grip forces during static holding of objects. However, the coordination of grip force and arm movement when moving grasped objects has not been documented. We show that grip force is finely modulated in phase with load force during movements with grasped objects in which load force varies with acceleration. A tight coupling between grip and load force is seen in point-to-point and cyclic movements of varying rate and direction. We conclude that in transporting an object, the programming of grip force is part and parcel of the process of planning the arm movement.

UI	MeSH Term	Description	Entries
D009068	Movement	The act, process, or result of passing from one place or position to another. It differs from LOCOMOTION in that locomotion is restricted to the passing of the whole body from one place to another, while movement encompasses both locomotion but also a change of the position of the whole body or any of its parts. Movement may be used with reference to humans, vertebrate and invertebrate animals, and microorganisms. Differentiate also from MOTOR ACTIVITY, movement associated with behavior.	Movements
D009119	Muscle Contraction	A process leading to shortening and/or development of tension in muscle tissue. Muscle contraction occurs by a sliding filament mechanism whereby actin filaments slide inward among the myosin filaments.	Inotropism,Muscular Contraction,Contraction, Muscle,Contraction, Muscular,Contractions, Muscle,Contractions, Muscular,Inotropisms,Muscle Contractions,Muscular Contractions
D006225	Hand	The distal part of the arm beyond the wrist in humans and primates, that includes the palm, fingers, and thumb.	Hands
D006801	Humans	Members of the species Homo sapiens.	Homo sapiens,Man (Taxonomy),Human,Man, Modern,Modern Man
D001132	Arm	The superior part of the upper extremity between the SHOULDER and the ELBOW.	Brachium,Upper Arm,Arm, Upper,Arms,Arms, Upper,Brachiums,Upper Arms
D001696	Biomechanical Phenomena	The properties, processes, and behavior of biological systems under the action of mechanical forces.	Biomechanics,Kinematics,Biomechanic Phenomena,Mechanobiological Phenomena,Biomechanic,Biomechanic Phenomenas,Phenomena, Biomechanic,Phenomena, Biomechanical,Phenomena, Mechanobiological,Phenomenas, Biomechanic
D014160	Transducers, Pressure	Transducers that are activated by pressure changes, e.g., blood pressure.	Pressure Transducer,Pressure Transducers,Transducer, Pressure
D016474	Weight-Bearing	The physical state of supporting an applied load. This often refers to the weight-bearing bones or joints that support the body's weight, especially those in the spine, hip, knee, and foot.	Load-Bearing,Axial Loading,Loadbearing,Weightbearing,Axial Loadings,Load Bearing,Weight Bearing