Abstract Print View

http://www.abstractsonline.com/Plan/AbstractPrintView.aspx?mID=198...

Print this Page

Presentation Abstract Program#/Poster#: 861.3/JJ17 Title: Location: Presentation Time: Authors: Moving objects in microgravity Hall A-C Wednesday, Nov 19, 2008, 3:00 PM - 4:00 PM *A. PIEROBON1, D. PIOVESAN1, P. DIZIO1,2, J. R. LACKNER1,2; 1 Ashton Graybiel Lab., 2Volen Ctr. for Complex Systems, Brandeis Univ., Waltham, MA Carrying an object in a normal 1 g environment requires motor attunement to its weight and inertia. In a 0 g environment, objects have mass but no weight. How do we accommodate when moving weightless objects with different masses? Eight subjects (2 female, 6 male; age 4516 years) participated in an experiment conducted in parabolic flight. They performed planar reaching movements with their right hand while grasping a light or a heavy object in the microgravity phases of 20 consecutive parabolas, and they remained as immobile as possible at all other times. Each parabola lasted about 20 s, and subjects made about 4 movements per parabola. The subjects were strapped in a standard aircraft seat with a portable horizontal table attached to its armrests. Movements started from a common position and were directed towards either a target 23cm straight ahead or one 38cm at a 55 diagonal (leftward). For the first 2 parabolas, movements were performed while grasping a hollow, 30g, 2.5cm diameter, plastic cylinder, and the next 15 parabolas were done while grasping a 500g cylinder which appeared identical. We then took away the 500g object and returned the 30g object. Subjects were aware of the switch, but were not allowed to handle the restored 30g object until the moment of reach onset, in microgravity The first movement made with the restored 30g object showed a deviation of its trajectory along the vertical axis. A variation of average forward velocity was also evident when shifting from higher to lower mass. The variation of average velocity after switching to the lighter object is consistent with persistence of an accommodation to the inertia of the heavier object in the movement plane. However, the vertical trajectory deviation is out of proportion with what would be

Abstract:

1 of 2

5/8/2012 1:15 PM

Abstract Print View

http://www.abstractsonline.com/Plan/AbstractPrintView.aspx?mID=198...

expected from the variation of the inertia alone in the absence of a gravitational field. A possible explanation is that compensation of static loads and dynamic planning are inherently linked. Long term exposure to microgravity might be required to uncouple trajectory control from gravity. Disclosures: Support: A. Pierobon, None; D. Piovesan, None; P. DiZio, None; J.R. Lackner, None. NASA NVJ04HJ14G NIH AR84546-01A1 [Authors]. [Abstract Title]. Program No. XXX.XX. 2008 Neuroscience Meeting Planner. Washington, DC: Society for Neuroscience, 2008. Online. 2008 Copyright by the Society for Neuroscience all rights reserved. Permission to republish any abstract or part of any abstract in any form must be obtained in writing by SfN office prior to publication.

2 of 2

5/8/2012 1:15 PM