Reduced gravity weakens muscle activation coupling and destabilizes bimanual force control
Reducing gravitational load during parabolic flight weakened intermuscular EMG coherence and increased force variability. The effect was frequency-specific, strongest in α/β (5-30 Hz), present in low-γ (30-60 Hz), and smallest in high-γ (60-100 Hz). At 90°, participants who downregulated β coherence most from 1 g → 0 g showed the least increase in variability, indicating adaptive control. Continuous relative phase analysis showed selective degradation of phase accuracy at 90° under low gravity, consistent with coordination dynamics.
Authors
- Osmar Pinto Neto (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-3978-8320)
- Deanna M. Kennedy (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-7980-8971)
- Renee Abbott (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-6443-4375)
- Bonnie J. Dunbar (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-6029-1434)
- Traver J. Wright (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-7020-930X)
- Madison Weinrich (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-2296-1585)
- Ana Diaz-Artiles
- Rashika Rao
- Nathan Keller
Institutions
- California State University System (US)
- Anhembi Morumbi University (BR)
- Mitchell Institute (US)
- Ohio University (US)
- Texas A&M University (US)
Publication Details
- Journal
- Journal of Neurophysiology
- Published
- 2026-04-06
- DOI
- https://doi.org/10.1152/jn.00632.2025
- Primary Topic
- Motor Control and Adaptation
- Type
- article
- Field-Weighted Citation Impact
- 0.00
Funders
- National Aeronautics and Space Administration