Abstract
Developmental changes in bimanual coordination were examined in four age
groups: 6/7, 10/11, 14/15 years, and young adults. Temporal coupling was assessed
through the stabilizing contributions of interlimb interactions related to planning,
error correction, and reflexes during rhythmic wrist movements, by comparing
various unimanual and bimanual tasks involving passive and active movements.
Spatial coupling was assessed via bimanual line-circle drawing. With increasing
age, temporal stability improved. Relative contributions of planning and reflex
interactions to the achieved stability did not change, whereas error correction
improved. In-phase and antiphase coordination developed at similar rates; implications
of this result were discussed in terms of mirror-activity inhibition. Overall
spatial drawing performance (circularity, variability, smoothness) improved with
age, and spatial interference was smaller in adults than children. Whereas temporal
coupling increased from 6/7 years to adulthood, spatial coupling changed
mainly after 14/15 years. This difference in the development of temporal and
spatial coupling corresponds to the anterior-posterior direction of corpus callosum
myelination as reported in the literature.
groups: 6/7, 10/11, 14/15 years, and young adults. Temporal coupling was assessed
through the stabilizing contributions of interlimb interactions related to planning,
error correction, and reflexes during rhythmic wrist movements, by comparing
various unimanual and bimanual tasks involving passive and active movements.
Spatial coupling was assessed via bimanual line-circle drawing. With increasing
age, temporal stability improved. Relative contributions of planning and reflex
interactions to the achieved stability did not change, whereas error correction
improved. In-phase and antiphase coordination developed at similar rates; implications
of this result were discussed in terms of mirror-activity inhibition. Overall
spatial drawing performance (circularity, variability, smoothness) improved with
age, and spatial interference was smaller in adults than children. Whereas temporal
coupling increased from 6/7 years to adulthood, spatial coupling changed
mainly after 14/15 years. This difference in the development of temporal and
spatial coupling corresponds to the anterior-posterior direction of corpus callosum
myelination as reported in the literature.
Original language | English |
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Pages (from-to) | 537-559 |
Journal | Motor control |
Volume | 16 |
Issue number | 4 |
DOIs | |
Publication status | Published - 2012 |