Betteco de Boer
B.J. (Betteco) de Boer, MSc
Faculty of Human Movement Sciences
Van der Boechorststraat 9
1081 BT Amsterdam
Tel: +31 (20) 59 82630
Room: B-654
Email: b.j.de.boer@vu.nl
PhD-project: changes in interlimb interactions
My PhD-project is about understanding changes in bimanual coordination in terms of the underlying neurophysiological interlimb interactions. With the use of an established method we can dissociate between three sources of interaction that contribute to coordinative stability: (1) the integration of adequately timed feedforward signals, (2) correction of relative phasing errors, and (3) (unintended) phase entrainment by contralateral afferent signals. By combining various forms of coordination between actively and passively moving limbs, the relative contribution of these three interlimb interactions in stabilizing the coordination pattern can be unraveled.
In my project we will focus on changes in the contribution of the interactions at different time scales. At short timescales we will investigate changes in stability associated with frequency and amplitude. For larger timescales we will look at learning (what changes in these interactions when learning a new pattern and what is the influence of focus of attention?) and at developmental processes (how do interlimb interactions change during development?) by comparing different age groups.
This project is part of the Coordination Dynamics research programme of MOVE. My supervisors are Lieke Peper and Peter Beek. This project is also related to Lex van Delden, who applies the method of determining the relative contribution of the interlimb interactions in an intervention study in stroke patients.
Publications
de Boer B.J., Peper C.E., & Beek P.J. (2011). Frequency-induced changes in interlimb interactions: Increasing manifestations of closed-loop control. Behavioural Brain Research, 220, 202-214. [PDF]
Peper C.E., de Boer B.J., De Poel H.J., & Beek P.J. (2008). Interlimb coupling strength scales with movement amplitude. Neuroscience Letters, 437, 10-14. [PDF]