Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Changes in perceived finger force produced by muscular contractions under isometric and anisometric conditions

  • Published:
Experimental Brain Research Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Summary

We compared matching of finger forces under isometric conditions with matching of forces produced against a spring load (anisometric conditions) in twenty normal subjects. The instruction was to generate the same force in both hands holding a grip between thumb and index finger in each hand. Visual feedback indicating the target force and the actual force applied were presented for one (reference) hand only. The forces produced in each hand were measured continuously during matching trials. A special device provided the opportunity to change from isometric to anisometric force production. Matching was required under symmetric conditions, in which force was generated in both hands either isometrically or anisometrically, as well as under asymmetric conditions in which isometric force has to be matched to anisometric force or the reverse. Under symmetric conditions matching error was consistently smaller in anisometric than in isometric force production. However, the striking feature was a severe mismatch between hands when forces had to be produced differently. For most subjects, a force generated against the spring load in the reference hand was greatly overestimated by the matching hand working isometrically. For the reverse condition consistent underestimations were observed. This effect cannot be attributed to left/right differences or a simple confusion of subjects in the asymmetric tasks. Some of the factors confounded with the conditions of force production were ruled out as an explanation by additional experimental controls. The mismatch neither depends on signals related to different finger positions associated with target forces nor is it alleviated when differently produced forces are matched sequentially. The finding that perceived muscular force depends on conditions of force production requires a reevaluation of the afferent and centrally generated signals (corollary discharge) assumed to contribute to sensations of force.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  • Angel R (1980) Barognosis in a patient with hemiataxia. Ann Neurol 7:73–77

    Google Scholar 

  • Aniss AM, Gandevia SC, Milne RJ (1988) Changes in perceived heaviness and motor commands produced by cutaneous reflexes in man. J Physiol (Lond) 397:113–126

    Google Scholar 

  • Bolsinger PP, Mai N (1985) A microcomputer system for the measurement of finger forces. J Biomed Eng 7:51–55

    Google Scholar 

  • Brodal A (1973) Self-observations and neuro-anatomical considerations after a stroke. Brain 96:675–694

    Google Scholar 

  • Burke RE, Jankowska E, Ten Bruggenkate G (1970) A comparison of peripheral and rubrospinal synaptic input to slow and fast twitch motor units of triceps surae. J Physiol (Lond) 207:709–712

    Google Scholar 

  • Cafarelli E, Bigland-Ritchie B (1979) Sensation of static force in muscles of different length. Exp Neurol 65:511–525

    Google Scholar 

  • Cafarelli E, Kostka CE (1981) Effect of vibration on static force sensation in man. Exp Neurol 74:331–340

    Google Scholar 

  • Colebatch JG, McCloskey DI (1987) Maintenance of constant arm position or force: reflex and volitional components in man. J Physiol (Lond) 386:247–261

    Google Scholar 

  • Cooper DF, Grimby G, Jones DA, Edwards RHT (1979) Perception of effort in isometric and dynamic muscular contraction. Eur J Appl Physiol 41:173–180

    Google Scholar 

  • Engen T (1972) Psychophysics. In: Kling JW, Riggs LA (eds) Woodworth and Schlosberg's experimental psychology. Methuen, London, pp 112–46

    Google Scholar 

  • Freund H-J (1983) Motor unit and muscle activity in voluntary motor control. Physiol Rev 83:387–436

    Google Scholar 

  • Gandevia SC (1982) The perception of motor commands or effort during muscular paralysis. Brain 105:151–159

    Google Scholar 

  • Gandevia SC, McCloskey DI (1977a) Sensations of heaviness. Brain 100:345–354

    Google Scholar 

  • Gandevia SC, McCloskey DI (1977b) Changes in motor commands, as shown by changes in perceived heaviness, during partial curarization and peripheral anaesthesia in man. J Physiol (Lond) 272:673–689

    Google Scholar 

  • Gandevia SC, McCloskey DI (1978) Interpretation of perceived motor commands by reference to afferent signals. J Physiol (Lond) 283:493–499

    Google Scholar 

  • Garnett R, Stephens JA (1981) Changes in the recruitment thresholds of motor units produced by cutaneous stimulation in man. J Physiol (Lond) 311:463–473

    Google Scholar 

  • Helmholtz von H (1896) Handbuch der physiologischen Optik. Leopold Voss, Hamburg, p 742 ff

    Google Scholar 

  • Henneman E (1957) Relation between size of neurons and their susceptibility to discharge. Science 126:1345–1347

    Google Scholar 

  • Holmes G (1917) The symptoms of acute cerebellar injuries due to gunshot injuries. Brain 40:461–535

    Google Scholar 

  • Holst von E, Mittelstaedt H (1950) Das Reafferenzprinzip. Naturwissenschaften 37:464–476

    Google Scholar 

  • Johansson RS, Westling G (1988a) Coordinated isometric muscle commands adequately and erroneously programmed for the weight during lifting task with precision grip. Exp Brain Res 71:59–71

    Google Scholar 

  • Johansson RS, Westling G (1988b) Programmed and triggered actions to rapid load changes during precision grip. Exp Brain Res 71:72–86

    Google Scholar 

  • Jones LA (1983) Role of central and peripheral signals in force sensation during fatigue. Exp Neurol 81:497–503

    Google Scholar 

  • Jones LA, Hunter IW (1985) Effect of muscle tendon vibration on the perception of force. Exp Neurol 87:35–45

    Google Scholar 

  • Long CH, Conrad PW, Hall EA, Furier SL (1970) Intrinsic-extrinsic muscle control of the hand in power grip and precision handling. J Bone Joint Surg 52A:853–867

    Google Scholar 

  • Mai N, Avarello M, Bolsinger P (1985) Maintenance of low isomet- ric forces during prehensile grasping. Neuropsychologia 23:805–812

    Google Scholar 

  • Mai N, Bolsinger P, Avarello M, Diener H-C, Dichgans J (1988) Control of isometric finger force in patients with cerebellar disease. Brain 111:973–998

    Google Scholar 

  • Mai N, Diener H-C, Dichgans J (1989) On the role of feedback in maintaining constant grip force in patients with cerebellar disease. Neurosci Lett 99:340–344

    Google Scholar 

  • Matthews PBC (1982) Where does Sherrington's “muscular sense” originate? Muscles, joints, corollary discharges? Ann Rev Neurosci 5:189–218

    Google Scholar 

  • McCloskey DI (1974) Muscular and cutaneous mechanism in the estimation of the weights of grasped objects. Neuropsychologia 12:513–520

    Google Scholar 

  • McCloskey DI (1981) Corollary discharges: motor commands and perception. In: Brooks VE (ed) Handbook of physiology. The nervous system, Vol II, Part 2. Am Physiol Soc Bethesda, pp 1415–1447

    Google Scholar 

  • McCloskey DI, Ebeling P, Goodwin GM (1974) Estimations of weight and tensions and apparent involvement of a “sense of effort”. Exp Neurol 42:220–232

    Google Scholar 

  • McCloskey DI, Gandevia S, Potter EK, Colebatch JG (1983) Muscle sense and effort: motor commands and judgments about muscular contractions. In: Desmedt JE (ed) Motor control mechanisms in health and disease. Raven, NY, pp 1151–1167

    Google Scholar 

  • Roland PE (1978) Sensory feedback to the cerebral cortex during voluntary movement in man. Behav Brain Sci 1:129–171

    Google Scholar 

  • Roll JP, Vedel JP (1982) Kinaesthetic role of muscle afferents in man, studied by tendon vibration and microneurography. Exp Brain Res 47:177–190

    Google Scholar 

  • Ross HE (1969) When is a weight not illusory? Q J Exp Psychol 21:346–355

    Google Scholar 

  • Schreiber P (1989) Kontrolle von Fingerkräften unter isometrischen und anisometrischen Bedingungen. Dissertation. Universität Konstanz

  • Sherrington CS (1900) The muscular sense. In: Schäfer EA (ed) Textbook of physiology, Vol 2. Pentland, Edinburgh, pp 1002–1025

    Google Scholar 

  • Smith AM (1981) The coactivation of antagonist muscles. Can J Physiol Pharmacol 59:733–747

    Google Scholar 

  • Smith AM, Bourbonnais D (1981) Neuronal activity in cerebellar cortex related to control of prehensile force. J Neurophysiol 45:286–303

    Google Scholar 

  • Smith AM, Frysinger RC, Bourbonnais D (1983) Interaction between motor commands and somatosensory afferents in the control of prehension. In: Desmedt JE (ed) Motor control mechanisms in health and disease. Raven Press, New York, pp 373–385

    Google Scholar 

  • Sperry RW (1950) Neural basis of the spontaneous optokinetic response produced by visual neural inversion. J Comp Physiol Psychol 43:482–489

    Google Scholar 

  • Stevens JC, Mack JD (1959) Scales of apparent force. J Exp Psychol 58:405–413

    Google Scholar 

  • Wundt W (1887) Grundzüge der physiologischen Psychologie, Bd. 1. Engelmann, Leipzig, p 400 ff

    Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. EKN Entwicklungsgruppe Klinische Neuropsychologie, Städtisches Krankenhaus München-Bogenhausen, Dachauer Str. 164, 50, München, Federal Republic of Germany

    N. Mai & J. Hermsdörfer

  2. Abteilung Neurologie/Neuropsychologie, Fachklinik Enzensberg, Höhenstraße 56, Hopfen am See, Federal Republic of Germany

    P. Schreiber

Authors
  1. N. Mai
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. P. Schreiber
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. J. Hermsdörfer
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Mai, N., Schreiber, P. & Hermsdörfer, J. Changes in perceived finger force produced by muscular contractions under isometric and anisometric conditions. Exp Brain Res 84, 453–460 (1991). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00231469

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Accepted:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00231469

Key words

Search

Navigation