Gravitational torque partially accounts for proprioceptive acuity

Ettinger, Lucas; Ostrander, Taylor

doi:10.1016/j.humov.2018.09.005

Cited by 1 publication

(5 citation statements)

References 28 publications

Supporting

Mentioning

Contrasting

Order By: Relevance

“…Gravity is accounted for when estimating the location of the limbs [4,18,19]. Here, we found a significant reduction in upwards bias when participants were tilted away from the gravitational vertical, manipulating vestibular–gravitational cues while maintaining the same gravitational torque at the limb itself.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 63%

“…Participants showed an upwards bias in JPS, which was reduced in the tilted compared to the upright posture. Previous studies have shown an upwards bias with increased gravity load at the limb [18,19], suggesting a link between the upwards bias and the sense of effort required to compensate for gravity. Accordingly, when tilted, the internal model of gravity is altered by noisier vestibular cues, resulting in a change in the estimated effort needed to lift the limb that may reduce the upwards bias.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 97%

“…We constantly interact with a terrestrial gravity environment, and it might be possible that the internal model of gravity influences JPS. Studies indicate that changes in gravitational torque at the limb may bias JPS [18,19]. Ettinger & Ostrander [19] reported an overshoot of approximately 2° when participants attempted to match a target angle when seated upright normally and when a small weight was applied to the arm.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Studies indicate that changes in gravitational torque at the limb may bias JPS [18,19]. Ettinger & Ostrander [19] reported an overshoot of approximately 2° when participants attempted to match a target angle when seated upright normally and when a small weight was applied to the arm. An undershoot was reported when participants were submerged in water, reducing the effect of gravitational torque on the arm.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Importantly, the effort required to move the limb has been shown to contribute to JPS [20]. Altering gravitational torque on the limb may therefore change the amount of effort required to move against gravity, resulting in overshoots, or an upwards bias , with increased gravity and undershoots with reduced gravity [18,19]. Although there is general agreement that effort depends on the effect of gravitational torque on muscle spindles, whether an internal gravity representation influences JPS is still unclear.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

See 4 more Smart Citations

Where is my hand in space? The internal model of gravity influences proprioception

2021

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

Knowing where our limbs are in space is crucial for a successful interaction with the external world. Joint position sense (JPS) relies on both cues from muscle spindles and joint mechanoreceptors, as well as the effort required to move. However, JPS may also rely on the perceived external force on the limb, such as the gravitational field. It is well known that the internal model of gravity plays a large role in perception and behaviour. Thus, we have explored whether direct vestibular-gravitational cues could influence JPS. Participants passively estimated the position of their hand while they were upright and therefore aligned with terrestrial gravity, or pitch-tilted 45° backwards from gravity. Overall participants overestimated the position of their hand in both upright and tilted postures; however, the proprioceptive bias was significantly reduced when participants were tilted. Our findings therefore suggest that the internal model of gravity may influence and update JPS in order to allow the organism to interact with the environment.

show abstract

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 63%

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 97%