Hand-Foot Coupling: An Advantage for Crossed Legs

Perception
Alice M PearceRebekah C White

Abstract

It is difficult to perform distinct, simultaneous motor actions with the ipsilateral hand and foot; for example, clockwise circles with the right hand and counter-clockwise circles with the right foot. By chance, we discovered that this hand-foot coupling task is easier when seated with legs crossed. We consider various explanations. First, that there are reduced demands on the contralateral hemisphere when the motor programme of the right foot is executed on the left side of the body. Second, that the legs-crossed scenario is easier because movements are symmetrical with respect to body midline. By considering related motor actions, we conclude that neither of these explanations provides a full account. Thus, we suggest a third explanation, which is that coupling effects are reduced by virtue of increased postural stability and reduced anticipatory postural adjustments.

References

Sep 1, 1991·Acta Psychologica·E A FranzG McCabe
Jun 1, 1984·The American Journal of Physiology·J A Kelso
Dec 23, 1982·Neuroscience Letters·F BaldisseraP Civaschi
May 13, 2003·Experimental Brain Research·Alexander Aruin, Takako Shiratori
Sep 29, 2005·Neuroreport·Fausto Baldissera, Roberto Esposti
Jul 26, 2006·Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America·Tobias Schicke, Brigitte Röder
Dec 2, 2014·Journal of Electromyography and Kinesiology : Official Journal of the International Society of Electrophysiological Kinesiology·Neeta Kanekar, Alexander S Aruin
Apr 15, 2017·Frontiers in Human Neuroscience·Fausto G Baldissera, Luigi Tesio

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