Grip-load force coupling: A general control strategy for transporting objects.

Abstract

The authors examined the coupling of grip force and load force during point-to-point and cyclic arm movements while holding an object in a variety of grips, including 1- and 2-handed grips and "inverted" grips. In all grips, grip force is modulated in phase with fluctuations in load force that are induced by the arm movement. The tight temporal coupling between grip force and load force seen when moving an object held in a precision grip (J. R. Flanagan, J. Tresilian, & A. M. Wing, 1993) is observed in other grips. The control of precision grip force during whole-body jumping movements was also investigated. Grip force was modulated in phase with changes in load force induced by jumping even though the arm's joint angles were fixed. The tight temporal coupling between grip force and load force during object transport reflects a general control strategy that is not specific to any particular grip or mode of transport. Models of the coordination of grasp and transport in prehensile behaviors are discussed.

Cites (2)

1. Factors influencing the force control during precision grip
   Westling, G., Johansson, R.S. · 1984 · Experimental Brain Research
2. Signals in tactile afferents from the fingers eliciting adaptive motor responses during precision grip
   Johansson, R.S., Westling, G. · 1987 · Experimental Brain Research

Show all 2 references

Cited by (5)

1. Coding and use of tactile signals from the fingertips in object manipulation tasks
   Johansson, Roland S., Flanagan, J. Randall · 2009 · Nature Reviews Neuroscience
2. The Role of Internal Models in Motion Planning and Control: Evidence from Grip Force Adjustments during Movements of Hand-Held Loads
   Flanagan, J. Randall, Wing, Alan M. · 1997 · The Journal of Neuroscience
3. Prediction Precedes Control in Motor Learning
   Flanagan, J.Randall, Vetter, Philipp, Johansson, Roland S, Wolpert, Daniel M · 2003 · Current Biology
4. Dissociating the Role of Ventral and Dorsal Premotor Cortex in Precision Grasping
   Davare, Marco, Andres, Michael, Cosnard, Guy, Thonnard, Jean-Louis, Olivier, Etienne · 2006 · The Journal of Neuroscience
5. The stability of precision grip forces during cyclic arm movements with a hand-held load
   Flanagan, J.Randall, Wing, AlanM. · 1990 · Experimental Brain Research

See all 265