Journal Of Motor Behavior[JOURNAL]
Sun
200 papers
The Effects of Adapted Tango on Dynamic Balance and Dual-Task Performance in Parkinson's Disease.
Rafie F, Thodupunoori S, Lang K … +5 more , Ting LH, Kazanski ME, Nekouei AH, McKay JL, Hackney ME
J Mot Behav · 2025 · PMID 41194589 · Publisher ↗
This study investigated the effects of Adapted Tango (AT) on dynamic balance, dual-tasking, and leg muscle antagonist activity in individuals with Parkinson's disease (PD), a condition characterized by cognitive and musc...
This study investigated the effects of Adapted Tango (AT) on dynamic balance, dual-tasking, and leg muscle antagonist activity in individuals with Parkinson's disease (PD), a condition characterized by cognitive and muscular difficulties. A total of 33 participants with mild-to-moderate PD were recruited and assigned to either an AT group ( = 16, 9 M/7F) or a control group ( = 17, 10 M/7F). Participants' dual-task performance was evaluated using Serial 7 walking tasks and the Dynamic Gait Index (DGI) at three different time points: before the intervention, immediately after, and four weeks post-intervention. Additionally, muscle activity modulation (the ability to activate and inhibit muscles appropriately) was quantified using Modulation Indices (MI) derived from EMG data. The results demonstrated an improvement in dual-task performance following the AT intervention; however, these differences between the AT and control groups were not statistically significant ( > 0.05). Notably, significant enhancements in DGI scores were observed in the AT group compared to controls ( < 0.05). Conversely, MI did not significantly change after the intervention ( > 0.05). This research highlights the potential of Adapted Tango in enhancing dynamic balance for individuals with PD, suggesting a need for larger-scale randomized trials to provide further evidence and inform clinical practice.
Solving Raven's Matrices While Walking on a Treadmill: Insights into Cognitive-Motor Interference Patterns in Dual-Task.
Dierick F, Buisseret F, Hoho T … +2 more , Fiévet A, Luta AM
J Mot Behav · 2025 · PMID 41031972 · Publisher ↗
This study investigates cognitive-motor interference by combining Raven's Progressive Matrices Test (RPMT) with treadmill walking. Two groups of healthy adults-20 young adults (born after 1995) familiar with treadmill wa...
This study investigates cognitive-motor interference by combining Raven's Progressive Matrices Test (RPMT) with treadmill walking. Two groups of healthy adults-20 young adults (born after 1995) familiar with treadmill walking and 18 older adults (born before 1980) without treadmill experience-completed both single-task and dual-task conditions. Cognitive performance (RPMT score) and gait metrics (stride interval variability and sample entropy) were recorded. Results revealed diverse interference patterns, with a predominance of gait-prioritization strategies under dual-task conditions. Significant differences between groups were found: younger adults showed greater cognitive performance decline, while older adults increased stride interval under dual-task conditions. A negative correlation between gait variability and complexity suggested adaptive motor strategies in some participants. This dual-task paradigm offers a standardized framework to explore both individual and group variability in multitasking performance. These insights may inform the design of safer environments and interventions targeting populations with different cognitive-motor profiles.
Social and Emotional Effect on Human Behavior.
Mnif M, Chikh S, Watelain E … +1 more , Jarraya M
J Mot Behav · 2025 · PMID 40997272 · Publisher ↗
Human behavior is influenced by the social context and depends on emotional state. This study focuses on the effect of the presence of others and group in interaction with the emotional impact on motor, cognitive and aff...
Human behavior is influenced by the social context and depends on emotional state. This study focuses on the effect of the presence of others and group in interaction with the emotional impact on motor, cognitive and affective performance. Seventy-four subjects participated in the study. Each participant performed a dart shooting action in three conditions: the individual, presence of others, and group presence. Motion kinematics were detected using Adope Premier software and affective states were recorded using a Deep-learning facial expression recognition model. Performance analysis revealed that subjects performed the task with a shorter reaction time and movement duration during the others' presence condition as well as the group presence condition compared to the single case. The results thus demonstrate the effect of emotions on movement kinematics and emotional correspondence and stability. This improvement can be attributed to the social facilitation related to the audience effect and motivational factor.
Association Between Motor Competence and Response Time in Portuguese Youth.
Flôres F, Drews R, Santos V … +3 more , Reyes A, Casanova N, Cardozo P
J Mot Behav · 2025 · PMID 40996784 · Publisher ↗
This study explores the association between motor competence (MC) and response time (RT) in schoolchildren. 251 participants (mean age 14.58 ± 3.07 years) completed assessments over two sessions using standardized proced...
This study explores the association between motor competence (MC) and response time (RT) in schoolchildren. 251 participants (mean age 14.58 ± 3.07 years) completed assessments over two sessions using standardized procedures. MC was evaluated through the Motor Competence Assessment, which includes stability, locomotor, and manipulative skills, while RT was measured using a structured reaction task. Pearson correlations and multiple linear regression analyses examined the relationships between variables. Moderate correlation (r = -0.35, < .001), with stability and manipulative skills as significant predictors of RT were found. The model accounted for 24.4% of RT variance, highlighting MC's role in neuromuscular coordination and cognitive processing. These findings emphasize the importance of MC in more efficient responses during youth, with potential applications for physical education and sports.
Timed Up-and-Go Test with an Obstacle: Evaluating Anticipatory Locomotor Adjustments in Older Adults.
Sakazaki J, Nakamura T, Kodama K … +1 more , Higuchi T
J Mot Behav · 2025 · PMID 40996690 · Publisher ↗
The Timed Up-and-Go (TUG) test, a clinical assessment tool of functional mobility and balance scale for fall risk, is potentially helpful for evaluating anticipatory locomotor adjustments (ALA). This study aimed to simpl...
The Timed Up-and-Go (TUG) test, a clinical assessment tool of functional mobility and balance scale for fall risk, is potentially helpful for evaluating anticipatory locomotor adjustments (ALA). This study aimed to simplify ALA evaluation in older adults using the TUG test. Thirty-eight older adults (mean ± : 74.97 ± 6.42 years) and 24 younger adults (25.16 ± 4.82 years) participated. Two identical poles replaced the cone-shaped object, creating the "obstacle TUG (Obs-TUG) test." Participants chose between passing between the poles or detouring around them. We examined the quality of ALA in terms of their route selection. Results showed that older adults selected a detour more frequently than younger adults, even if the opening between the two poles was so wide that passing through the opening required less time than taking a detour. Older adults were characterized by shorter step lengths and narrower step widths while turning, indicating prioritization of stability over efficiency. The Obs-TUG test effectively describes ALA characteristics in older adults through consistent behavioral choices in route selection and walking patterns.
Neck Angle in the Handstand Changes the Pattern of Multi-Joint Variability.
Farana R, Brtva P, Irwin G … +1 more , Newell KM
J Mot Behav · 2025 · PMID 40980972 · Publisher ↗
This study investigated the effects of neck angle on center of mass (CM) stability and joint angle variability in the handstand. Seven experienced female gymnasts performed handstands in extended, neutral, and flexed nec...
This study investigated the effects of neck angle on center of mass (CM) stability and joint angle variability in the handstand. Seven experienced female gymnasts performed handstands in extended, neutral, and flexed neck angles. Kinematic data were collected using a 3D motion capture system, and variability was assessed for wrist, elbow, shoulder, hip, and neck angles and, CM position. The findings showed that the extended neck angle posture exhibited the lowest CM variability, aligning with its prevalent use in practice and competition. Regression analyses revealed that joint angle variability was significantly corelated to CM motion, with the typical extended neck angle related to shoulder, wrist, and neck angle variability contributions (33%, 23%, and 21%, respectively). In contrast, the neutral neck angle was moderately corelated to hip variability (32%), while the flexed neck angle showed a dominant reliance on neck angle variability (63%). The results show the strong role of neck angle in the postural variability of the handstand that is mediated by joint angle variability, visual information and tonic reflex support.
Fatigue-Induced Postural Instability During Dual-Tasks in Women with MS: Influence of Muscle Strength.
Golzari Z, Ghadiri F, Bahmani M … +2 more , Mosadegh Y, Yaali R
J Mot Behav · 2025 · PMID 40938313 · Publisher ↗
There is a lack of research on the effects of fatigue and dual-task motor performance in people with Multiple sclerosis (MS), especially in women. Using a group of 20 women with MS and 20 healthy controls, we examined th...
There is a lack of research on the effects of fatigue and dual-task motor performance in people with Multiple sclerosis (MS), especially in women. Using a group of 20 women with MS and 20 healthy controls, we examined the effects of fatigue and attentional demands on center of pressure (COP) displacements during upright stance. Anterior-posterior (AP), Media-lateral (ML), and total COP displacements, and also ankle plantar flexors' strength were measured. Results indicated that fatigue and dual-task resulted in higher ML COP displacements in both groups, but unlike controls, MS patients had higher ML displacements during the dual-task compared to single-task trials. Additionally, while fatigue resulted in an increased single-task AP and total COP displacements in both groups, it yielded higher dual-task AP and total COP displacements only in MS patients. Moreover, MS patients had weaker ankle plantar flexors compared to healthy controls, but the plantar flexors-mainly soleus-maximum voluntary contraction (MVC) was only associated with fatigued single-task balance performance in MS patients. Our study confirmed the adverse effects of fatigue and dual-task on balance performance, especially in MS patients. Further research is required on whether the modulation of balance performance of ankle plantar flexors' MVC depends on fatigue and attentional task demands.
Context Versus Aiming Under Uncertainty When Both Feedforward and Feedback Control Are Engaged.
Crossley MJ, Hewitson CL, Kaplan DM
J Mot Behav · 2025 · PMID 40938248 · Publisher ↗
Theories of human motor learning commonly assume that movement plans are adjusted in response to the sensory feedback received about their success or failure. The degree to which movement errors drive changes in feedforw...
Theories of human motor learning commonly assume that movement plans are adjusted in response to the sensory feedback received about their success or failure. The degree to which movement errors drive changes in feedforward motor plans is further assumed to scale inversely with sensory uncertainty. However, support for these assumptions comes primarily from experiments that limit feedback corrections during an ongoing movement. In contrast, we have recently shown that when this restriction is relaxed, a different pattern of behavior emerges. Participants gradually adjust their reaching movements in response to a perturbation from trial-to-trial, following a consistent and incremental envelope of error reduction. Riding on top of this gradual learning envelope, participants also exhibit large and abrupt changes in their initial reach direction that are strongly correlated with the uncertainty level of the sensory feedback experienced on the previous trial, but are insensitive to the size and direction of the movement error made on that trial. A class of models in which sensory uncertainty influences an aiming process best accounted for this pattern. Here, we examine the possibility that uncertainty acts as a contextual cue to shunt motor processes to one of many context-specific internal models.
Brain Activity During Electrical Stimulation of Visual-Motor Illusion with Enhanced Joint Motion Intensity.
Tanabe J, Amimoto K, Sakai K
J Mot Behav · 2025 · PMID 40923648 · Publisher ↗
Visual-motor illusion (VMI) is a kinesthetic illusion produced by viewing an image showing joint motion. VMI with enhanced joint movement intensity (power-VMI; P-VMI) is expected to activate a wide range of motor associa...
Visual-motor illusion (VMI) is a kinesthetic illusion produced by viewing an image showing joint motion. VMI with enhanced joint movement intensity (power-VMI; P-VMI) is expected to activate a wide range of motor association brain regions, and when combined with electrical stimulation that activates the motor sensory cortex, further activation of brain activity can be expected. This study aimed to verify the effectiveness of VMI using functional near-infrared spectroscopy to confirm brain activity during combined P-VMI and electrical stimulation. Brain activity was measured in 15 healthy adults during three tasks performed on the left ankle joint: P-VMI with electrical stimulation, P-VMI alone, and electrical stimulation alone. The tasks were performed randomly on a single participant. Brain activity was measured during each task using a protocol comprising 15 s of rest, 30 s of task performance, and 30 s of follow-up. Regions of interest included motor-related areas. The results showed that P-VMI alone activated the right superior parietal lobule and left supramarginal gyrus more than P-VMI combined with electrical stimulation. These findings suggest that P-VMI and sensory-threshold electrical stimulation do not necessarily complement each other in enhancing brain activity, as P-VMI alone shows greater activation in specific motor-related brain regions.
Limited Interaction Between Vision and Proprioception on Centre of Pressure, Pelvis and Head Positions During Ankle or Neck Vibration in Walking: An Experimental Study.
Jamal K, Duclos NC, Rousseau C … +2 more , El Khamlichi Y, Duclos C
J Mot Behav · 2025 · PMID 40905718 · Publisher ↗
BACKGROUND: By stimulating proprioceptive receptors, muscle vibration helps understand the crucial role of proprioception in gait control. From the literature, variability in responses during the stance phase across stud...
BACKGROUND: By stimulating proprioceptive receptors, muscle vibration helps understand the crucial role of proprioception in gait control. From the literature, variability in responses during the stance phase across studies may be due to protocol differences, such as lighting conditions that affect visual information. This study aimed to investigate the interaction between vision and proprioceptive information from ankle and neck muscles over the gait cycle during treadmill walking. METHODS: Twenty-five healthy participants (aged 30 ± 5 years) walked on an instrumented treadmill under three visual conditions (eyes open, dim light and eyes closed) and three vibration conditions (no vibration, neck muscles and ankle plantar flexor muscles) in a randomised order. The centre of pressure (COP), pelvis and head positions were measured and analysed across three gait cycle phases (heel contact, midstance and toe-off). A mixed-effects model on ranks was used for analysis, with post-hoc Tukey corrections for significant interactions. RESULTS: No significant interaction was found between vibration conditions, different visual conditions, and the gait cycle on the COP, pelvis and head positions ( > 0.42). Neck muscle vibration caused a forward shift in the COP at heel contact ( = 0.0006) and midstance ( < 0.0001) and in pelvis and head positions throughout the gait cycle ( < 0.0001). Ankle muscle vibration had no significant effects ( > 0.4). Eye closure led to more pronounced gait reactions compared to eyes open or dim light at heel contact and toe-off ( = 0.0001). DISCUSSION: This study investigated the influence of vision and proprioception during walking by manipulating visual information (eyes open, dim light and eyes closed) and proprioceptive information (neck and ankle vibration). Under these specific experimental conditions, no clear interactive effects between vision and proprioception were observed. Instead, their contributions appeared at distinct moments of the stance phase: both modalities influenced gait control at heel contact, neck proprioception effects were more pronounced at midstance, and vision contributed more strongly at toe-off. These findings enhance understanding of sensory contributions during walking and support further exploration of vibration application protocols.
Effects of Quantitative and Qualitative Visual Feedback on Motor Learning in Male Novices During a Badminton Underhand-Clear Striking Task.
Suh D, Jeong J
J Mot Behav · 2025 · PMID 40891963 · Publisher ↗
In the biomechanics of striking tasks, different types of visual feedback for the upper extremities influence motor learning and control in distinct ways. Quantitative feedback (QN), which provides precise numerical data...
In the biomechanics of striking tasks, different types of visual feedback for the upper extremities influence motor learning and control in distinct ways. Quantitative feedback (QN), which provides precise numerical data, and qualitative feedback (QL), which offers descriptive or interpretive guidance, may facilitate different aspects of motor skill acquisition. Given that ballistic motor skills, such as the badminton underhand-clear stroke, require not only rapid and coordinated movement execution but also precise control of distal joints for accuracy, the underlying feedback processing mechanisms play a crucial role in optimizing motor control. Therefore, this study aims to determine the most effective type of visual feedback for enhancing motor learning in the badminton underhand-clear stroke by examining its impact on movement efficiency and accuracy. Participants ( = 36, all male; mean age 25.1 ± 1.2 years) were recruited into three groups: QN group, QL group, and the control group. Each participant completed a pretest, post-test, and retention-test of 20 trials each for the badminton underhand-clear stroke, along with three practice sessions consisting of 50 trials each. Performance accuracy and coordination patterns were significantly improved in the QN group compared to the QL and control groups in the retention test [performance accuracy (mean radial error) = QN-control: .01, QN-QL: .01; coordination pattern (discrete relative phase) = QN-control: .001, QN-QL: .01]. Additionally, the kinematics of the wrist joint were significantly improved in the QN group compared to the QL and control group in the retention test (maximum extension angle of wrist joint = QN-control: .001, QN-QL: < .01). These findings suggest that quantitative feedback may be more effective than qualitative feedback in facilitating motor learning in a badminton striking task, particularly in terms of long-term retention of movement accuracy and coordination. By analyzing motor coordination patterns, this study provides insight into the role of different types of visual feedback in motor learning and offers practical implications for instructors aiming to optimize skill acquisition in striking tasks.
The Evil At Hand: Effect of the Social Meaning of Objects on Motor Planning.
Baumard J, Lefevre M, Montalan B … +1 more , Vallée B
J Mot Behav · 2025 · PMID 40891894 · Publisher ↗
When planning reach-to-grasp movements, individuals frequently face a tradeoff between biomechanical comfort (i.e., avoiding effortful actions) and "socio-emotional comfort" (i.e., avoiding decisions with a negative soci...
When planning reach-to-grasp movements, individuals frequently face a tradeoff between biomechanical comfort (i.e., avoiding effortful actions) and "socio-emotional comfort" (i.e., avoiding decisions with a negative socio-emotional outcome). But what happens when socio-emotional comfort conflicts with biomechanical comfort? This study investigated whether and under what conditions individuals may prioritize socio-emotional over biomechanical comfort during motor planning. In a series of three experiments based on the end-state comfort effect, 88 participants selected one of two mugs which varied in orientation (i.e., upright/inverted) and social meaning (i.e., socially positive, neutral, or negative symbol printed on the mug). The findings confirmed that symbolic meaning may influence motor planning. This effect was however context-dependent, i.e. stronger when participants had a social instead of a functional goal (i.e., choosing a mug to give it as a present vs. to use it). In this condition, participants prioritized socio-emotional comfort over their own biomechanical comfort. The findings suggest that individuals integrate social information (e.g., social norms) into motor plans. Furthermore, this information can sometimes bypass biomechanical constraints: when the social meaning of objects is salient (here, based on contrasts between positive and negative symbols) and context-relevant, biomechanical comfort can be sacrificed in favor of socio-emotional comfort.
Adaptive Strategies in Expertise: Optimizing Movement Trajectory for Perception Accuracy.
Park C
J Mot Behav · 2025 · PMID 40891285 · Publisher ↗
This study examines the traces of movement trajectories for perception accuracy in expert performance, focusing on table tennis. Twenty participants (10 experts and 10 novices) performed self-generated movements for exte...
This study examines the traces of movement trajectories for perception accuracy in expert performance, focusing on table tennis. Twenty participants (10 experts and 10 novices) performed self-generated movements for extended haptic accuracy tasks, and their performance was analyzed for absolute error and movement trajectory. The results reveal that the expert participants exhibited more movement entropy than novices, strategically sacrificing trajectory predictability to enhance haptic perception accuracy. These findings reveal the adaptive strategies used by experts to optimize performance and provide insights into the balance between movement entropy and perception accuracy in skilled motor control.
Non-Linearity in Development of Dynamic Balance Repertoire in Middle Childhood.
Lorås H, Haga M
J Mot Behav · 2025 · PMID 40841546 · Publisher ↗
The current understanding of balance development in middle childhood is predominantly from static postural tasks, in which a typical finding is a linear pattern. A paucity of studies, however, have examined the developme...
The current understanding of balance development in middle childhood is predominantly from static postural tasks, in which a typical finding is a linear pattern. A paucity of studies, however, have examined the development of dynamic balance. Thus, we investigated how 354 girls and boys aged 7-10-years-old crossed a river on a wide or narrow plank in virtual reality, while their movement strategies were measured. Sex, height and perceived motor competence were examined as covariates. The results indicated that age did not appear as a significant independent variable for any measures, and that significant differences emerged between boys and girls. These findings suggest that dynamic balance can have a non-linear development in middle childhood, with boys and girls utilizing different task-specific strategies.
Effects of Elevated Height in Virtual Reality on Postural Control in the Semi-Tandem Stance.
Chik M, Michaud L, Lajoie Y
J Mot Behav · 2025 · PMID 40788528 · Publisher ↗
Standing at elevated heights can elicit postural adjustments often characterized by reduced center of pressure (COP) magnitude, higher frequencies, and increased irregularity. While often attributed to postural stiffenin...
Standing at elevated heights can elicit postural adjustments often characterized by reduced center of pressure (COP) magnitude, higher frequencies, and increased irregularity. While often attributed to postural stiffening, such changes may also reflect a shift toward more automatic control. However, most height-related studies use a feet-parallel stance, which may not be generalized to more constrained foot positions like semi-tandem, which are often encountered in real-world height situations. This study investigated the effects of acute virtual height exposure on postural control in a semi-tandem stance. Twenty young adults stood on a force platform under three conditions: (1) no VR, (2) VR sidewalk at ground level, and (3) VR elevated plank. Each participant completed six 60-second trials per condition. Repeated-measures ANOVAs revealed that wearing the VR headset alone affected postural control, with further changes under height exposure. Height was associated with increased COP frequency and irregularity, suggesting more automatic control. However, due to biomechanical constraints, the semi-tandem stance may have influenced postural strategies, resulting in increased COP variability. These findings support the use of VR to study postural threat and highlight the role of foot position in postural adaptations.
Evaluating Upper Extremity Selective Motor Control and Its Relationship with Trunk Control and Balance in Spastic CP.
Sırrı B, Elbasan B
J Mot Behav · 2025 · PMID 40788481 · Publisher ↗
Upper extremity Selective Voluntary Motor Control (SVMC) is a key factor influencing upper extremity functions in children with Cerebral Palsy (CP), but differences in SVMC of the upper extremity between unilateral and b...
Upper extremity Selective Voluntary Motor Control (SVMC) is a key factor influencing upper extremity functions in children with Cerebral Palsy (CP), but differences in SVMC of the upper extremity between unilateral and bilateral CP and its association with trunk control and balance remain unclear. This study aims to examine differences in upper extremity SVMC and its association with trunk control and balance in 58 children (31 unilateral, 27 bilateral) with spastic CP. SVMC, balance, and trunk control were assessed using the Selective Control of Upper Extremity Scale (SCUES). Pediatric Balance Scale (PBS), and the Trunk Control Measurement Scale (TCMS), respectively. No significant difference in SCUES scores was found between unilateral and bilateral CP ( > 0.05). SCUES scores correlated with TCMS in both types ( < 0.05), with a stronger correlation in bilateral CP (unilateral rho = 0.38, bilateral rho = 0.87). PBS correlated with SCUES only in bilateral cases ( < 0.01, rho = 0.88). In conclusion, impaired upper extremity SVMC is common in spastic CP and more linked to trunk control and balance in bilateral than unilateral cases. Addressing this difference may guide the development of tailored interventions for both types.
Pre-Crastination Emerges in a Sequential Joint Action Task.
Karlinsky A, Ray M, Welsh TN
J Mot Behav · 2025 · PMID 40778691 · Publisher ↗
In sequential joint actions, one co-actor performs the first step of a task (the initiator) before the second co-actor finishes the task (the finisher). Studies of sequential joint actions have revealed the initiator pla...
In sequential joint actions, one co-actor performs the first step of a task (the initiator) before the second co-actor finishes the task (the finisher). Studies of sequential joint actions have revealed the initiator plans their movement to facilitate their finisher's action, consistent with the principle of "pre-crastination". Pre-crastination refers to the finding that actors choose to complete more demanding tasks earlier to decrease cognitive and/or motor load later. The present experiments examined the potential for pre-crastination in a sequential joint action task. Partners performed a task wherein an initiator passed a cube with a 3D-protuberance to a finisher so the protuberance could be inserted into a target slot. The initiator could rotate the cube all, some, or none of the way into the final orientation before passing. The results of Experiment 1 were that initiators completed more rotations when working with a partner than actors completed in the first step when working alone. Experiment 2 revealed that visual information about the finisher's task influenced the amount of rotation completed by the initiator. These findings are consistent with the notion of pre-crastination because co-actors facilitated their partner's achievement of a shared goal by doing more of the work earlier on.
Virtual Reality Improves Predictive Internal Modeling and Object Control Skills in DCD Children.
Sepehri Bonab H, Ebrahimi Sani S
J Mot Behav · 2025 · PMID 40772785 · Publisher ↗
Deficits in internal modeling have been suggested as a key factor contributing to the motor control and coordination challenges experienced by children with DCD. Recently, virtual reality (VR) technology has emerged as a...
Deficits in internal modeling have been suggested as a key factor contributing to the motor control and coordination challenges experienced by children with DCD. Recently, virtual reality (VR) technology has emerged as a promising tool for enhancing the acquisition and learning of motor skills. Therefore, the primary aim of this study was to investigate the effects of VR-based interventions on internal modeling and object control skills in children with DCD. The present study employed a quasi-experimental design, incorporating a pretest, post-test, and two-month follow-up. The sample consisted of 40 female students aged 7 to 10 years, selected based on DSM-5 criteria and randomly assigned to either a VR training program or a control group. Predictive internal modeling was assessed using continuous relative phase (CRP) through a visuomotor adaptation task, while object control skills were evaluated using the TGMD-2 test. The experimental group underwent an 8-week VR-based training program comprising 16, 30-minute sessions using task-oriented Xbox Kinect 360 games. The control group received no intervention. Results indicated that VR training significantly improved the acquisition of CRP ( = 0.037), with the experimental group demonstrating superior transfer of these skills to object control tasks compared to controls ( < 0.001). The observed reduction in CRP suggests that VR training facilitated the development of internal models in children with DCD. Furthermore, enhancements in object control skills evidenced the capacity of these children to apply and generalize acquired predictive internal models. However, despite these advancements, participants continued to exhibit compensatory strategies characterized by variability and inaccuracy, indicating persistent challenges in internal model updating.
Neurophysiological and Biomechanical Determinants of Successful Basketball Throws.
Phan PK, Vo ATN, Saucier D … +6 more , Elder S, To F, Burch R, Chander H, Sharma S, Vandenheever D
J Mot Behav · 2025 · PMID 40674177 · Publisher ↗
This study investigates the neurophysiological and biomechanical factors contributing to successful basketball throw performance in novice athletes, utilizing electroencephalography (EEG) and motion capture (MoCap) to an...
This study investigates the neurophysiological and biomechanical factors contributing to successful basketball throw performance in novice athletes, utilizing electroencephalography (EEG) and motion capture (MoCap) to analyze joint angles, ground reaction forces (GRFs), and brain activity. Sixteen participants performed basketball throws while EEG and MoCap systems recorded data on movement mechanics and neural activity. Biomechanical findings revealed that successful trials were characterized by refined movements, reduced wrist extension, increased elbow flexion, and more stable foot positioning compared to unsuccessful trials (all > 0.05), contributing to greater shot accuracy. Reduced movement variability in successful trials further indicated improved motor consistency, reflective of skill development. EEG results showed higher beta and gamma power in the temporal lobe during successful compared to unsuccessful trials ( < 0.05), suggesting increased engagement in visuomotor integration and neural efficiency. Notably, our novice participants demonstrated limited neural efficiency in frontal regions ( > 0.05), potentially due to cognitive interference and self-monitoring. These findings highlight the importance of coordinated biomechanical execution and neural efficiency in optimizing basketball performance. The insights gained have practical implications for designing training interventions that improve motor performance, particularly for novice athletes.
Effects of Upper Limb Robot Therapy with Action Observation Training on Subacute Stroke Patients: A Randomised Controlled Trial.
Yang YM, Park JH
J Mot Behav · 2025 · PMID 40658116 · Publisher ↗
Action observation training (AOT) is recognised as an effective method for enhancing motor function by engaging mirror neurons. This study investigated the combined effects of AOT and upper limb robot therapy on upper ex...
Action observation training (AOT) is recognised as an effective method for enhancing motor function by engaging mirror neurons. This study investigated the combined effects of AOT and upper limb robot therapy on upper extremity function, movement quality, activities of daily living (ADL), muscle activity, and coordination in stroke patients. Twenty-four subacute stroke patients were randomly assigned to either an intervention group (AOT + robot therapy, = 12) or a control group (robot therapy only, = 12). Primary outcomes were assessed using FMA-UE and ARAT, while secondary outcomes included the Point-to-Point test, K-MBI, %RVC, and CCR. Both groups demonstrated significant improvements in upper extremity function, movement quality, ADL, and muscle activity. However, the intervention group showed significantly greater enhancements in upper extremity function, ADL, and muscle activity than the control group. Additionally, CCR values were negative for all movements in the intervention group, whereas in the control group, only shoulder flexion exhibited a negative value. These findings suggest that integrating AOT with upper limb robot therapy enhances muscle activity, coordination, and functional recovery in subacute stroke patients, highlighting its potential as a valuable rehabilitation approach.
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