Stabilization Strategies for Unstable Dynamics

• Published in: PloS one Vol. 7; no. 1; p. e30301
• Main Authors: Saha, Devjani J., Morasso, Pietro
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: United States Public Library of Science 18.01.2012; Public Library of Science (PLoS)
• Subjects: Adaptation; Adaptation, Physiological - physiology; Adult; Algorithms; Analysis; Biology; Biomechanics; Coordination; Elastic properties; Female; Hand - physiology; Humans; Linkages; Male; Mathematical models; Medicine; Motor ability; Movement - physiology; Muscles; Neuromuscular system; Photic Stimulation - methods; Posture - physiology; Psychomotor Performance - physiology; Robotics; Robots; Social and Behavioral Sciences; Stability; Stabilization; Stiffness; Strategy; Tendons; Trends; Work stations; Young Adult; Italy

When humans are faced with an unstable task, two different stabilization mechanisms are possible: a high-stiffness strategy, based on the inherent elastic properties of muscles/tools/manipulated objects, or a low-stiffness strategy, based on an explicit positional feedback mechanism. Specific constr...