Asymmetric interlateral transfer of motor learning in unipedal dynamic balance

  • PDF / 637,849 Bytes
  • 7 Pages / 595.276 x 790.866 pts Page_size
  • 9 Downloads / 180 Views

DOWNLOAD

REPORT


RESEARCH ARTICLE

Asymmetric interlateral transfer of motor learning in unipedal dynamic balance Alexandre J. Marcori1   · Luis A. Teixeira1   · Kelyn R. Mathias2 · Juliana B. Dascal2   · Victor H. A. Okazaki2  Received: 22 April 2020 / Accepted: 18 September 2020 © Springer-Verlag GmbH Germany, part of Springer Nature 2020

Abstract Interlateral transfer of learning between the legs in body balance training is a topic of theoretical and practical interest, but it has been left untouched in previous research. In this investigation, we aimed to evaluate the magnitude and asymmetry of interlateral transfer of balance stability following the practice of a challenging task of unipedal support on an unstable base. Thirty participants (18–30 years old) were assigned to two groups practicing either with the right or the left leg. Training consisted of a single practice session of unipedal balance on a platform free to sway in the anteroposterior direction. Balance time (off ground) of either leg in 10-s trials was compared across pre-test, post-test, and 7-day retention. Post-test indicated that both groups had similar performance gains with the trained leg, and equivalent transfer to the transfer leg. Analysis of retention indicated further balance improvement with both transfer legs, while practice with the right leg led to the superior transfer to the untrained leg as compared to the opposite transfer direction. These results suggest that persistent transfer of learning effects for unipedal dynamic balance is bilateral but more prominent in the right-to-left direction. Keywords  Posture · Interlateral asymmetry · Motor transfer · Unipedal

Introduction The right and left cerebral hemispheres have been proposed to be specialized for different functions of motor control (Sainburg 2005, 2014), with the left hemisphere being specialized for predicting the effects of the relationship between muscular and external forces (body-environment Communicated by Francesco Lacquaniti. * Alexandre J. Marcori [email protected] Luis A. Teixeira [email protected] Kelyn R. Mathias [email protected] Juliana B. Dascal [email protected] Victor H. A. Okazaki [email protected] 1



Human Motor Systems Laboratory, University of São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil



Motor Neuroscience Research Group, Londrina State University, Londrina, Brazil

2

dynamics), while the right hemisphere being conceptualized to be responsible for controlling movement impedance. More recently, the conceptualization of a hybrid movement control has been posed, bringing the notion that both cerebral hemispheres participate in the regulation of each limb. From this proposition, one can expect that hemispheric specialization is more noticeable in performance and learning of the contralateral limb but affecting also, although to a reduced extent, control of ipsilateral body segments (Yadav and Sainburg 2011, 2014). For body balance control, in particular, recent results in individuals with unilateral brain damage have suggested that the right cerebr