Embodiment and the origin of interval timing: kinematic and electromyographic data

作者：Addyman Caspar^*; Rocha Sinead; Fautrelle Lilian; French Robert M; Thomas Elizabeth; Mareschal Denis

来源：Experimental Brain Research, 2017, 235(3): 923-930.

DOI：10.1007/s00221-016-4842-y

• Interval timing
• Infants
• Electromyography
• Embodiment
• Open Data
• Open Materials

Recent evidence suggests that interval timing (the judgment of durations lasting from approximately 500 ms. to a few minutes) is closely coupled to the action control system. We used surface electromyography (EMG) and motion capture technology to explore the emergence of this coupling in 4-, 6-, and 8-month-olds. We engaged infants in an active and socially relevant arm-raising task with seven cycles and response period. In one condition, cycles were slow (every 4 s); in another, they were fast (every 2 s). In the slow condition, we found evidence of time-locked sub-threshold EMG activity even in the absence of any observed overt motor responses at all three ages. This study shows that EMGs can be a more sensitive measure of interval timing in early development than overt behavior.

• 出版日期2017-3