Reoptimization of single-joint motor patterns to non-Earth gravity torques induced by a robotic exoskeleton

Abstract

Gravity is a ubiquitous component of our environment that we have learned to optimally integrate in movement control. Yet, altered gravity conditions arise in numerous applications from space exploration to rehabilitation, thereby pressing the sensorimotor system to adapt. Here, we used a robotic exoskeleton to reproduce the elbow joint-level effects of arbitrary gravity fields ranging from 1g to -1g, passing through Mars- and Moon-like gravities, and tested whether humans can reoptimize their motor patterns accordingly. By comparing the motor patterns of actual arm movements with those predicted by an optimal control model, we show that our participants () adapted optimally to each gravity-like torque. These findings suggest that the joint-level effects of a large range of gravities can be efficiently apprehended by humans, thus opening new perspectives in arm weight support training in manipulation tasks, whether it be for patients or astronauts.