Neurobehavioral strategies of skill acquisition in left and right hand dominant individuals / by Jessica Lynn McDonnell.

Author/creator McDonnell, Jessica Lynn author.
Other author Mizelle, J. C., degree supervisor.
Other author East Carolina University. Department of Kinesiology.
Format Theses and dissertations
Publication[Greenville, N.C.] : [East Carolina University], 2020.
Description1 online resource (102 pages) : illustrations (chiefly color)
Supplemental ContentAccess via ScholarShip
Subjects

Summary The brain consists of vast networks of connected pathways communicating through synchronized electrochemical activity propagated along fiber tracts. The current understanding is that the brain has a modular organization where regions of specialized processes are dynamically coupled through long-range projections of dense axonal networks connecting spatially distinct regions enabling signal transfer necessary for all complex thought and behavior, including regulation of movement. The central objective of the dissertation was to understand how sensorimotor information is integrated, allowing for adaptable motor behavior and skill acquisition in the left-and right-hand dominant populations. To this end participants, of both left- and right-hand dominance, repeatedly completed a visually guided, force matching task while neurobiological and neurobehavioral outcome measurements were continuously recorded via EEG and EMG. Functional connectivity and graph theoretical measurements were derived from EEG. Cortico-cortical coherence patterns were used to infer neurostrategic discrepancies employed in the execution of a motor task for each population. EEG activity was also correlated with neuromuscular activity from EMG to calculate cortico-muscular connectivity. Neurological patterns and corresponding behavioral changes were used to express how hand dominance influenced the developing motor plan, thereby increasing understanding of the sensorimotor integration process. The cumulative findings indicated fundamental differences in how left- and right-hand dominant populations interact with the world. The right-hand dominant group was found to rely on visual information to inform motor behavior where the left-hand dominant group used visual information to update motor behavior. The left-hand group was found to have a more versatile motor plan, adaptable to both dominant, nondominant, and bimanual tasks. Compared to the right-hand group it might be said that they were more successful in encoding the task, however behaviorally they performed the same. The implications of the findings are relevant to both clinical and performance applications providing insight as to potential alternative methods of information integration. The inclusion of the left-hand dominant population in the growing conceptualization of the brain will generate a more complete, stable, and accurate understanding of our complex biology.
General notePresented to the faculty of the Department of Kinesiology.
General noteAdvisor: J.C. Mizelle
General noteTitle from PDF t.p. (viewed April 28, 2021).
Dissertation noteBioenergetics and Exercise Science East Carolina University 2020
Bibliography noteIncludes bibliographical references.
Technical detailsSystem requirements: Adobe Reader.
Technical detailsMode of access: World Wide Web.
Genre/formAcademic theses.

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