Bilateral Asymmetry in Upper Extremities Is More Pronounced in Distal Compared to Proximal Joints

• Published in: Journal of motor behavior Vol. 48; no. 2; pp. 143 - 152
• Main Authors: Aune, T. K., Ettema, G., Vereijken, B.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: United States Routledge 03-03-2016; Taylor & Francis Inc
• Subjects: accuracy; arm; Biomechanics; Comparative studies; Fingers & toes; Functional Laterality - physiology; Hand Joints - physiology; Humans; Joints; laterality; Male; motor control; Movement; Movement - physiology; Muscle, Skeletal - physiology; pointing; Range of Motion, Articular - physiology; Shoulder; Shoulder Joint - physiology; Upper Extremity - physiology; Young Adult; accuracy; pointing; arm; motor control; laterality
• ISSN: 0022-2895; 1940-1027
• DOI: 10.1080/00222895.2015.1056766

The authors' aim was to compare spatial and temporal accuracy in proximal versus distal joints in upper extremities. Given the morphological differences in corticospinal and corticomotoneuronal projections for proximal and distal muscles, they hypothesized that bilateral asymmetry would be larger for distal than for proximal joints. Twelve participants performed isolated flexion-extension movements with the shoulders and index fingers. Angular range of motion of finger and shoulder movements was kept constant. The results showed significant bilateral asymmetry for both proximal and distal joints for both spatial and temporal accuracy. More importantly, bilateral asymmetry was significantly larger for the index fingers than for the shoulders for both spatial and temporal variables, as hypothesized. These results at the behavioral level pave the way for further studies that combine direct measures of neural activation with behavioral measures to further illuminate the potential link between bilateral communication and laterality effects in motor performance.