Changes in elbow joint’s musculo-articular mechanical properties do not alter reaching-related action-perception coupling

Perception of action capabilities can be altered by changes in sensorimotor processes, as showed in previous works in populations dealing with regular and pathological sensorimotor deficits. Misestimating changes in performance ability could lead to risky behavior, injury, and/or reduced performance. However, the relationship between sensorimotor processes, the action-perception coupling, and the related anatomical structures is still a matter of debate. We investigated whether changes in the muscle–tendon system’s mechanical properties experimentally induced by eccentric contractions could alter the action-perception coupling (APC) in a reaching-to-grasp task, in which the participants estimated the maximal distance they predicted that they would able to reach a glass.

Based on their repartition, volunteers performed a conditioning session the first day: a series of isokinetic elbow extension in passive condition (control group, n = 11) or when performing elbow flexors eccentric contractions (eccentric group, n = 11). Performance estimates and actual performances in a reaching-to-grasp task were completed before, and immediately, 24 hours and 48 hours after the conditioning session. Alterations of musculo-articular mechanical properties were assessed through global joint stiffness (joint passive torque through load/unload cycles) and local stiffness (muscle elastography).

The results showed that the APC related to reaching-to-grasp performance was not impacted by post-exercise changes in mechanical properties of the musculo-articular system.

These findings emphasize the central dimension of sensorimotor processing instead of peripheral structures to investigate the APC for an altered sensorimotor environment.