The relationship between multiscale dynamics in tremulous motion of upper limb when aiming and aiming performance in different physical load conditions.

ABSTRACT

The dynamics of tremulous motion in the upper limb is complex. We aimed to explore the relationship between the complexity of upper limb tremor when aiming and aiming performance and the influences of physical load on the two outcomes. Fifteen modern pentathlon athletes were recruited and completed two 1000-m treadmill running and three 60-s standard aiming task trials one at baseline and each of the other two immediately after each running. The time series of light spot trace on the target was measured using a high-speed camera. The complexity of this time series was quantified using multiscale entropy. The effective aiming rate was used to assess the aiming performance. We observed that participants with lower tremor complexity had lower effective aiming rate across three physical load conditions (r2 > 0.38, p < 0.01). Physical load decreased both tremor complexity (F = 4.8, p = 0.01) and effective aiming rate (F = 13.5, p < 0.0001), but no difference was observed after 1000-m running compared to that after 2000-m running. The per cent change of tremor complexity associated with the change of effective aiming rate (r2 = 0.55, p < 0.0001). This pilot study demonstrates that multiscale complexity of tremulous motion in the upper limb when aiming may serve as a novel marker to assess the physiologic system functionality when aiming.