Abstract
One hypothesis for the generation of spatially oriented arm movements
by the central nervous system is that a desired joint position is
determined by the ratio of the tensions of agonist and antagonist
muscles. According to this hypothesis, the transition between equilibrium
states should be solely a function of the contraction time of the
motor units and the mechanical properties of the arm. We tested this
hypothesis in intact and deafferented rhesus monkeys by holding the
forearm and measuring the accelerative transient after release of
the forearm and by directly measuring the time course of the increase
in torque during the movement. Both methods indicated an average
time of 400 msec for attaining peak torque in a movement with a duration
of 700 msec. In addition, by displacing the arm from its normal trajectory
during the movement., we observed that the arm returned neither to
the initial nor to the final equilibrium positions, but to points
intermediate between them. We conclude that the nrocesses underlying
traiectorv formation must be more complex than a simple switch between
one equilibrium position and another.
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