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The Journal of Neuroscience, November 28, 2007, 27(48):13045-13064; doi:10.1523/JNEUROSCI.4334-06.2007

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Behavioral/Systems/Cognitive
A Computational Model for Redundant Human Three-Dimensional Pointing Movements: Integration of Independent Spatial and Temporal Motor Plans Simplifies Movement Dynamics

Armin Biess,¹ Dario G. Liebermann,³ and Tamar Flash²

Departments of ¹Mathematics and ²Computer Science and Applied Mathematics, Weizmann Institute of Science, 76100 Rehovot, Israel, and ³Department of Physical Therapy, Stanley Steyer School of Health Professions, Sackler Faculty of Medicine, Tel Aviv University, 69978 Ramat Aviv, Israel

Correspondence should be addressed to Armin Biess, Department of Mathematics, Weizmann Institute of Science, 76100 Rehovot, Israel. Email: armin.biess{at}weizmann.ac.il

Few computational models have addressed the spatiotemporal features of unconstrained three-dimensional (3D) arm motion. Empirical observations made on hand paths, speed profiles, and arm postures during point-to-point movements led to the assumption that hand path and arm posture are independent of movement speed, suggesting that the geometric and temporal properties of movements are decoupled. In this study, we present a computational model of 3D movements for an arm with four degrees of freedom based on the assumption that optimization principles are separately applied at the geometric and temporal levels of control. Geometric properties (path and posture) are defined in terms of geodesic paths with respect to the kinetic energy metric in the Riemannian configuration space. Accordingly, a geodesic path can be generated with less muscular effort than on any other, nongeodesic path, because the sum of all configuration-speed-dependent torques vanishes. The temporal properties of the movement (speed) are determined in task space by minimizing the squared jerk along the selected end-effector path. The integration of both planning levels into a single spatiotemporal representation simplifies the control of arm dynamics along geodesic paths and results in movements with near minimal torque change and minimal peak value of kinetic energy. Thus, the application of Riemannian geometry allows for a reconciliation of computational models previously proposed for the description of arm movements. We suggest that geodesics are an emergent property of the motor system through the exploration of dynamical space. Our data validated the predictions for joint trajectories, hand paths, final postures, speed profiles, and driving torques.

Key words: forward control strategies; point-to-point arm movements; geodesics; minimal effort; minimum jerk; minimum torque change

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Received Oct. 4, 2006; revised Aug. 13, 2007; accepted Aug. 14, 2007.

Correspondence should be addressed to Armin Biess, Department of Mathematics, Weizmann Institute of Science, 76100 Rehovot, Israel. Email: armin.biess{at}weizmann.ac.il

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