EMG Markers of Global Inhibition While Stopping
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Date
2022-05
Authors
Mills, Isaiah
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
University of Oregon
Abstract
Selectively stopping parts of complex movement plans is a critical part of reacting correctly to stimuli. For example, when driving a car one may have to stop one arm from reaching toward the gearshift while pressing the brakes to avoid a crossing deer. While humans can coordinate movements effectively, our brains limit our ability to selectively stop. Canceling one action can delay the execution of other simultaneous actions, especially when these actions are bimanual and symmetrical. This type of interference is hypothesized to reflect the activation of a specific neural pathway that non-selectively (globally) inhibits the motor system during stopping before continuing actions can be reinitiated. Here, we hypothesized that electromyography (EMG) can provide a marker of global inhibition in the motor system during stopping behavior. To examine this hypothesis, we tested twenty subjects using a novel version of the bimanual anticipatory response inhibition (ARI) task with their index fingers while maintaining a constant force (tonic) muscle contraction as measured by EMG. Contrary to our hypothesis, we found no evidence of nonselective inhibition in the tonic EMG during successful stopping compared to going. Future directions include examining particular time points of interest during the stopping process in order to determine if the hypothesized inhibition may be limited to a transient period.
Description
34 pages
Keywords
Human Physiology, EMG Markers, Motor Control, Stopping, Inhibition, Nonselective, Electromyography