Journal article

Publication year: 2016

Pages: 2253-2265

Journal: Experimental Brain Research

Volume number: 234

Issue number: 8

ISSN: 0014-4819

eISSN: 1432-1106

Open access status: Hybrid

DOI Link: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00221-016-4631-7

Publisher: Springer

Abstract: 
Successfully picking up and handling objects requires taking into account their physical properties (e.g., material) and position relative to the body. Such features are often inferred by sight, but it remains unclear to what extent observers vary their actions depending on the perceived properties. To investigate this, we asked participants to grasp, lift and carry cylinders to a goal location with a precision grip. The cylinders were made of four different materials (Styrofoam, wood, brass and an additional brass cylinder covered with Vaseline) and were presented at six different orientations with respect to the participant (0A degrees, 30A degrees, 60A degrees, 90A degrees, 120A degrees, 150A degrees). Analysis of their grasping kinematics revealed differences in timing and spatial modulation at all stages of the movement that depended on both material and orientation. Object orientation affected the spatial configuration of index finger and thumb during the grasp, but also the timing of handling and transport duration. Material affected the choice of local grasp points and the duration of the movement from the first visual input until release of the object. We find that conditions that make grasping more difficult (orientation with the base pointing toward the participant, high weight and low surface friction) lead to longer durations of individual movement segments and a more careful placement of the fingers on the object.

Harvard Citation style: Paulun, V., Gegenfurtner, K., Goodale, M. and Fleming, R. (2016) Effects of material properties and object orientation on precision grip kinematics, Experimental Brain Research, 234(8), pp. 2253-2265. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00221-016-4631-7

APA Citation style: Paulun, V., Gegenfurtner, K., Goodale, M., & Fleming, R. (2016). Effects of material properties and object orientation on precision grip kinematics. Experimental Brain Research. 234(8), 2253-2265. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00221-016-4631-7