Skip to main content
Springer Nature Link
Log in

Multijoint Control Strategies Transfer Between Tasks

  • Original Paper
  • Published:
Biological Cybernetics Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

In this paper, the hypothesis that multijoint control strategies are transferred between similar tasks was tested. To test this hypothesis, we studied the take-off phase of two types of backward somersault dives: one while translating backwards (Back), the other while translating forward (Reverse). An experimentally based dynamic model of the musculoskeletal system was employed to simulate the measured kinematics and reaction force data and to study the sensitivity of take-off performance to initial kinematic conditions. It was found that the horizontal velocity of the total body center of mass (CM) was most sensitive to modifications in the initial shank conditions. Consequently, the initial shank kinematics of the Back dive was modified in the optimization procedure while maintaining the joint coordination of the Back in order to generate the CM trajectory and reaction forces of a Reverse. Similarly, the initial shank kinematics of the Reverse dive was modified to simulate the CM trajectory and reaction force of the Back. It was found that small modifications in the initial shank kinematics led to change in direction of horizontal CM velocity at take-off; resulting in a switch from Back to Reverse and vice versa. In both cases, the simulated momentum conditions at departure and the bimodal shape of the reaction force-time curve were consistent with those experimentally observed. The results of this study support the hypothesis that transfer of control strategies between similar tasks is a viable option in multijoint control. This transfer of control strategy is explained using a hierarchical model of the motion control system.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Subscribe and save

Springer+ Basic
$34.99 /Month
  • Get 10 units per month
  • Download Article/Chapter or eBook
  • 1 Unit = 1 Article or 1 Chapter
  • Cancel anytime
Subscribe now

Buy Now

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  • Alexander RM (1991) Energy-saving mechanisms in walking and running. J Exp Biol 160:55–69

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Anderson FC et al (1995) Application of high-performance computing to numerical simulation of human movement. J Biomech Eng 117(1):155–157

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Arabyan A, Tsai D (1998) A distributed control model for the air-righting reflex of a cat. Biol Cybern 79(5):393–401

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Bernstein N (1967) The co-ordination and regulation of movements. Pergamon Press, Oxford

    Google Scholar 

  • deLeva PJ (1996) Adjustment to Zatsiorsky–Seluyanov’s segment inertia parameters. J Biomech 29(9):1223–1230

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Enoka RM (1988) Load- and skill-related changes in segmental contributions to a weightlifting movement. Med Sci Sports Exerc 20(2):178–187

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Flashner H et al (1987) Modeling of control and learning in a stepping motion. Biol Cybern 55(6):387–396

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Flashner H et al (1988) Fitting mathematical functions to joint kinematics during stepping: implications for motor control. Biol Cybern 58(2):91–99

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Gerritsen KG et al (1995) Direct dynamics simulation of the impact phase in heel-toe running. J Biomech 28(6):661–668

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Greenwood DT (1988) Principles of dynamics. Prentice-Hall, NJ

    Google Scholar 

  • Gruber K et al (1998) A comparative study of impact dynamics: wobbling mass model versus rigid body models. J Biomech 31(5):439–444

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Guler HC et al (1998) A viscoelastic sphere model for the representation of plantar soft tissue during simulations. J Biomech 31(9):847–853

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Hatze H (1981) A comprehensive model for human motion simulation and its application to the take-off phase of the long jump. J Biomech 14(3):135–142

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Inman VT et al (1981) Human Walking. Williams and Wilkins, Baltimore, MD

    Google Scholar 

  • Ju MS, Mansour JM (1988) Simulation of the double limb support phase of human gait. J Biomech Eng 110(3):223–229

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Mathiyakom W et al (2005a) Lower extremity control and dynamics during backward angular impulse generation in backward translating tasks. Exp Brain Res: 1–12

  • Mathiyakom W et al (2005b) Lower extremity control and dynamics during backward angular impulse generation in forward translating tasks. J Biomech

  • Mathiyakom W et al (2005c) Modifying center of mass trajectory during sit-to-stand tasks redistributes the mechanical demand across the lower extremity joints. J Clin Biomech 20:105–111

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • McNitt-Gray JL et al (2001) Mechanical demand and multijoint control during landing depend on orientation of the body segments relative to the reaction force. J Biomech 34(11):1471–1482

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Miller D, Hennig E, Pizzimenti M, Jones I, Nelson R (1989) Kinetic and kinematic characteristics of 10-m platform performance of elite divers: I. back takeoffs. Int J Sport Biomech 5:60–88

    Google Scholar 

  • Miller DI (2000). Springboard and platform diving. In: Zatsiorsky VM, Osney Md (eds). Biomechanics in sport: performance enhancement and injury prevention. Blackwell, Oxford, pp 326–348

    Google Scholar 

  • Neptune RR (1999) Optimization algorithm performance in determining optimal controls in human movement analyses. J Biomech Eng 121(2):249–252

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Pandy MG et al (1992) A parameter optimization approach for the optimal control of large- scale musculoskeletal systems. J Biomech Eng 114(4):450–460

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Prilutsky BI, Zatsiorsky VM (1994) Tendon action of two-joint muscles: transfer of mechanical energy between joints during jumping, landing, and running. J Biomech 27(1):25–34

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Raibert MH (1986) Legged robots that balance. MIT, Cambridge

    Google Scholar 

  • Requejo PS et al (2002) An approach for developing an experimentally based model for simulating flight-phase dynamics. Biol Cybern 87(4):289–300

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Requejo PS et al (2004) Modification of landing conditions at contact via flight phase control. Biol Cybern 90(5):327–336

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Schmidt RA (2003) Motor schema theory after 27 years: reflections and implications for a new theory. Res Q Exerc Sport 74(4):366–375

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Shea CH, Wulf G (2005) Schema theory: a critical appraisal and reevaluation. J Mot Behav 37(2):85–101

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Woltring H (1986) A fortran package for genereralized cross-validatory spline smoothing and differentiation. Adv Eng Soft 8(2):104–113

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Zajac FE (1993) Muscle coordination of movement: a perspective. J Biomech 26(Suppl 1):109–124

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Zatsiorsky V, Seluyanov V (1983) Estimation of the mass and inertia characteristics of the human body by means of the best predictive regression equations. Biomechanics IX-B. Champaign, IL, Human Kinetics, pp 233–239

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Biomechanics Research Laboratory, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA, 90089-0652, USA

    J. L. McNitt-Gray & Philip S. Requejo

  2. Los Amigos Research and Education Institute, Rancho Los Amigos National Rehabilitation Center, Downey, CA, 90242, USA

    Philip S. Requejo

  3. Department of Aerospace and Mechanical Engineering, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA, 90089-1453, USA

    Henryk Flashner

Authors
  1. J. L. McNitt-Gray
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Philip S. Requejo
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. Henryk Flashner
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to J. L. McNitt-Gray.

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

McNitt-Gray, J.L., Requejo, P.S. & Flashner, H. Multijoint Control Strategies Transfer Between Tasks. Biol Cybern 94, 501–510 (2006). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00422-006-0063-y

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Accepted:

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00422-006-0063-y

Keywords