Training-induced dynamics of accuracy and precision in human motor control

Abstract

The study investigated the dynamic changes in accuracy and precision during a simple oral and digital motor task involving a controlled and a ballistic force. Eighteen healthy participants participated in four experimental sessions during which they performed one hundred trials of targeting a controlled (low/high hold force) and a ballistic force during an oral and a digital motor task (OMT and DMT). Accuracy and precision across one hundred trials were calculated and subjected to segmented linear regression analysis. Repeated performance of controlled forces show a significant dynamic change in accuracy during initial stage of targeting high hold forces during OMT and a significant dynamic change in both accuracy and precision during final stage of targeting high hold forces during DMT. Repeated performance of ballistic force showed a significant dynamic change in both accuracy and precision during final stage of targeting high hold force forces during OMT and a significant dynamic change in accuracy during the initial stages of targeting high hold force during the DMT. The findings indicate a subtle degree of dissociation between accuracy and precision in terms of dynamic modulation of forces due to repeated performance of both OMT and DMT.

Bite or brain: Implication of sensorimotor regulation and neuroplasticity in oral rehabilitation procedures

“…These studies have primarily investigated the effects of the repeated performance of the task on behavioural learning and skill acquisitions during well‐coordinated oral motor tasks. These tasks have varied from simple tongue protrusion and clenching tasks to more complex tongue training and biting of chocolate candies or force control with absolute accuracy . Mainly, the training‐related changes in particularly these studies have been assessed at the behavioural level by quantifying the performance and at the cortical level by assessing the changes in motor evoked potentials (MEPs) and cortical representations in relation to the trained muscle with either TMS or other non‐invasive imaging techniques such as fMRI .…”

“…These tasks have varied from simple tongue protrusion 82,83,93 and clenching tasks 94,95 to more complex tongue training 91 and biting of chocolate candies or force control with absolute accuracy. 84,88,96 Mainly, the trainingrelated changes in particularly these studies have been assessed at the behavioural level by quantifying the performance [82][83][84]91,92,[96][97][98][99] and at the cortical level by assessing the changes in motor evoked potentials (MEPs) and cortical representations in relation to the trained muscle with either TMS [82][83][84]100 or other non-invasive imaging techniques such as fMRI. 93 The underlying mechanisms are hypothesised to be related to cortical plasticity as demonstrated by facilitation of corticomotor pathways of the trained muscle groups.…”

Motor control strategies during unpredictable force control tasks in humans

“…Previous studies have also suggested that the jaw motor system is less fine tuned than the hand motor system during similar force control tasks. 18,19 It has been previously established that the unpredictable load changes during a series of object lifting task showed that the force rate profiles were programmed on the basis of the previous loads. 9,20,21 It was observed that lifts programmed for heavier/ lighter load than the object caused a pronounced force overshoot or a discontinuous force rate increase, respectively.…”

Alteration of occlusal vertical dimension induces signs of neuroplastic changes in corticomotor control of masseter muscles: Preliminary findings

“…Contemporary oral rehabilitation procedures mainly emphasise the restoration of anatomical structures. However, recent research has suggested to also focus on improving sensorimotor regulation together with anatomical reconstructions; for a complete review, please see Kumar, Kothari …”

“…Previous studies have shown facilitation of motor‐evoked potentials (MEPs) and increase in motor cortex map areas, corresponding to the corticomotor pathway relevant to the trained muscles, following various training tasks . It has been suggested that motor training results in improvements in task performance with increased representation of the trained muscle in the motor cortex . Animal studies have also shown adaptation and reorganisation of primary motor cortex following removal of afferent inputs (eg dental extraction) or alterations to the peripheral tissues .…”