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Information Processing in the Somatosensory System pp 25–48Cite as

Afferent Signals During Manipulative Tasks in Humans

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Abstract

How sensory information integrates with automatic motor control to produce functionally adaptive motor responses is a primary concern of those who investigate sensory and motor functions in biological and artificial systems. For nearly a decade, we have studied this question in relation to dexterous manipulation. Our studies have focused mainly on control of coordination during grasping, lifting and manipulation of small objects using a precision grip between the index finger and thumb (e.g. Johansson and Westling 1984 a, b; 1987; 1988 a, b; Westling and Johansson 1984; 1987). Briefly, human subjects use previously learned, well optimized preprogrammed patterns of muscle commands (i.e. “motor programs” cf. Keele and Summers 1976; Schmidt 1976; Brooks 1979). However, as the manipulative act evolves, there are several important regulatory events that rely on sensory input.

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Authors
  1. Roland S. Johansson
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  2. Göran Westling
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Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Human Anatomy, University of Uppsala, Sweden

    Ove Franzén  & Jan Westman  & 

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© 1991 Macmillan Publishers Limited

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Johansson, R.S., Westling, G. (1991). Afferent Signals During Manipulative Tasks in Humans. In: Franzén, O., Westman, J. (eds) Information Processing in the Somatosensory System. Wenner-Gren Center International Symposium Series. Palgrave, London. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-349-11597-6_3

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-349-11597-6_3

  • Publisher Name: Palgrave, London

  • Print ISBN: 978-1-349-11599-0

  • Online ISBN: 978-1-349-11597-6

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