Differences between right and left arms in human reaching adaptation

Details

Supervisors

Crevecoeur, Frédéric

Faculty

Ecole polytechnique de Louvain

Degree label

Master [120] : ingénieur civil en mathématiques appliquées

Abstract

This master’s thesis expands research on differences between left and right arm for reaching movements with perturbations. Experiments with curl force fields were conducted on right-handed subjects. Their results are analyzed and discussed in this thesis. The current model used for handedness in reaching movements, the hybrid control scheme of Yadav and Sainburg, is questioned. It combines anticipation and impedance control, which assumes the increase in stiffness and viscosity of the arm to counter disturbances. Instead, we suggest the use of a robust control strategy. It is specialized in countering unexpected perturbations, by having high control gains. The analyzes include results from catch trials with null fields, to see the anticipation of the subjects. The EMG signals of the Pectoralis Major and Posterior Deltoid were also analyzed. General differences between left and right arm seem to be more subtle than described in previous research. The thesis ends with a inter-subjects analysis, suggesting a correlation between control gains and the ability to learn. Our results show that subjects/arms with lower control gains would tend to be better learners.