Effects of Differential Stability on Control of Multi-Joint Coordination in the Upper Extremity: A Torque Component Analysis

Purpose: The purpose of the present current study was to examine control of upper limb multi-joint movements with differential coordination stability. To achieve the goals of the study, torque analyses were utilized to answer questions about how torque components were differed among various elbow-wrist coordination patterns. Methods: Eight self-reported right-handed college students (3 males and 5 females, mean age=20.6 yr) were volunteered. The task required participants to rhythmically coordinate the flexion-extension motions of their elbow and wrist with coordination relationship of $0^{\circ}$, $90^{\circ}$, and $180^{\circ}$relative phases between the two joints. Mean relative phase and phase stability (standard deviation of relative phase) were computed to for analysisze of overall coordination performance. To determine the figure out characteristics of torque components in elbow and wrist joints, impulse values of muscle torque (MT) and interactive torque (IT) and MT as a percentage of cycle duration (MT-PCD) were analyzed. Results: Torque results showed that the proximal elbow joint generated motions with mainly muscle efforts regardless of coordination patterns, while the distal wrist joint adjusted the coordination patterns by changing amount of MT. Impulse analyses showed that the least stable $90^{\circ}$ pattern was performed by utilizing a similar coordination strategy of the most stable $0^{\circ}$ pattern. Conclusion: The present current study suggests that the roles of distal and proximal joints differ in order to achieve various multi-joint coordination movements. This study provides information for use in gives an idea to development of rehabilitation or training programs for to persons with an impaired upper limb motor ability.