Influence of Task Constraints and Device Properties on Motor Patterns in a Realistic Control Situation

The influences of task difficulty (index difficulty: 2-4), input device of different length, range of motion and mode of resistance (joystick or rotorcraft stick), and directions of movement (leftward rightward) on motor patterns in a realistic control situa- tion were examined with a multilevel analysis (joint kinematics and muscular variables, and global task performance). Eight subjects controlled the displacements of a virtual object during a slalom task characterized by a realistic inertial model. Pilots adapted the end- point kinematic organization to increasing accuracy constraints to preserve task success whatever the device and the direction. How- ever, the rotorcraft stick manipulation remains highly complex in comparisontothejoystickduetopoorerproprioceptiveinformation, higher inertial constraints, and an asymmetrical muscle control.