Finger joint coordination during tapping

We investigated finger joint coordination during tapping by characterizing joint kinematics and torques in terms of muscle activation patterns and energy profiles. Six subjects tapped with their index finger on a computer keyswitch as if they were typing on the middle row of a keyboard. Fingertip fo...

Full description

Saved in:
Bibliographic Details
Published in:Journal of biomechanics 2006-01, Vol.39 (16), p.2934-2942
Main Authors: Kuo, Po-Ling, Lee, David L., Jindrich, Devin L., Dennerlein, Jack T.
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Adult
Biomechanical Phenomena
Computer Peripherals
EMG
Energy
Female
Finger
Finger Joint - physiology
Humans
Hypotheses
Kinematics
Male
Metacarpophalangeal Joint - physiology
Motor control
Movement - physiology
Muscle Contraction - physiology
Muscle, Skeletal - physiology
Muscular system
Standard deviation
Studies
Tapping
Citations: Items that this one cites
Items that cite this one
Online Access:Get full text
Tags: Add Tag
No Tags, Be the first to tag this record!
Description
Summary:We investigated finger joint coordination during tapping by characterizing joint kinematics and torques in terms of muscle activation patterns and energy profiles. Six subjects tapped with their index finger on a computer keyswitch as if they were typing on the middle row of a keyboard. Fingertip force, keyswitch position, kinematics of the metacarpophalangeal (MCP) and the proximal and distal interphalangeal (IP) joints, and intramuscular electromyography of intrinsic and extrinsic finger muscles were measured simultaneously. Finger joint torques were calculated based on a closed-form Newton–Euler inverse dynamic model of the finger. During the keystroke, the MCP joint flexed and the IP joints extended before and throughout the loading phase of the contact period, creating a closing reciprocal motion of the finger joints. As the finger lifted, the MCP joint extended and the interphalangeal (IP) joints flexed, creating an opening reciprocal motion. Intrinsic finger muscle and extrinsic flexor activities both began after the initiation of the downward finger movement. The intrinsic finger muscle activity preceded both the IP joint extension and the onset of extrinsic muscle activity. Only extrinsic extensor activity was present as the finger was lifted. While both potential energy and kinetic energy are present and large enough to overcome the work necessary to press the keyswitch, the motor control strategies utilize the muscle forces and joint torques to ensure a successful keystroke.
ISSN:0021-9290
1873-2380
DOI:10.1016/j.jbiomech.2005.10.028