Title: Sensorimotor integration of gravity: what can we learn from arm movements?
Abstract: It is well acknowledged that the motor system anticipates forthcoming dynamics. Although the CNS is thought to build an internal model of gravity, opposed theories exist on the question of how the motor system uses this model to plan a movement. One theory proposes that the motor system compensates gravity effects and uses scaling laws to simplify movement control. Another theory suggests that the motor system uses gravity effects in order to minimize effort. I will present the results of several experiments in which single-joint arm movements have been investigated in healthy humans, in patients and in non-human primates. Our results support the idea that the motor system implements sophisticated strategies taking advantage of movement dynamics.
