Pointing to double-step visual stimuli from a standing position: very short latency (express) corrections are observed in upper and lower limbs and may not require cortical involvement

Abstract

How fast can we correct a planned movement following an unexpected target jump? Subjects, starting in an upright standing position, were required to point to a target that randomly and unexpectedly jumps forward to a constant spatial location. Rapid motor corrections in the upper and lower limbs, with latency responses of less than 100 ms, were revealed by contrasting electromyographic activities in perturbed and unperturbed trials. The earliest responses were observed primarily in the anterior section of the deltoïdus anterior (shoulder) and the tibialis anterior (leg) muscles. Our findings indicate that visual on-going movement corrections may be accomplished via fast loops at the level of the upper and lower limbs and may not require cortical involvement. Copyright (c) 2010 IBRO. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.