| ="article_content"> A silly little trick has been circulating | | | | sophisticated wiring that controls ourmuscle |
| throughout the cyber worldfor some time, similar to | | | | movements. Because of how we are programmed, |
| trying to pat your head and rub yourstomach, but this | | | | the brainnaturally has more trouble coordinating |
| one involves the coordinating movements of | | | | movements that are indifferent directions, or |
| yourhands and feet. The foot trick goes something like | | | | non-isodirectional. Why? you ask. Give thatquestion |
| this: While sittingupright in a chair, lift your right foot off | | | | some thought. Do you more often need to use your |
| the floor and makeclockwise circles. Then, while | | | | limbs inconjunction with one another or in contradiction |
| making clockwise circles with yourright foot, draw the | | | | to one another? Hereare a few activities that you |
| number 6 in the air with your right hand. Thecatch is to | | | | may have participated in recently, or atleast observed, |
| try to keep your right foot moving in a | | | | that will demonstrate coordinated muscle movements: |
| clockwisedirection while drawing the 6’ in the | | | | 1)riding a bicycle. Do your legs move in the same |
| air. It is very difficult, ifnot impossible for some. So, | | | | direction or oppositedirections? If they moved in |
| what’s the deal? Read on. Thispsychological | | | | opposite directions you would never movefrom square |
| article will explain. | | | | one; 2) swinging a bat. Both arms must move together; |
| There is a plausible explanation for the challenge to | | | | 3)folding clothes. The actions are mirror images, but |
| move your footin a clockwise direction while making a | | | | are still in thesame direction. Also, do not confuse |
| counter-clockwise motion withyour hand. The difficulty | | | | opposite’ with alternating’. |
| is not limited to hand/foot coordination. | | | | Although some of our movements may alternate, they |
| Try this other little muscle coordination test (this one is | | | | are still in thesame direction. It came on our respective |
| off thecuff): hold both arms out in front of you, bent at | | | | mental hard-drives, luckily. |
| the elbow (handshould be pointed up, palms facing one | | | | And why does all of this matter? There have been |
| another). First, move yourright arm in forward circle. | | | | numerouspsychological articles that have reported |
| Once you have your right arm movingforward, move | | | | studies that tested theeffects of stroke on motor |
| your left arm in backward circles simultaneously. | | | | coordination. The general consensus is |
| Canyou do it? Accurately? Keeping your movements | | | | thatnon-isodirectional movements are difficult under |
| in circles? (Yeah,right. No one was looking as you | | | | normal circumstances. |
| were reading this psychologicalarticle explanation, so | | | | For stroke patients, both isodirectional and |
| who is going to challenge you?) | | | | non-isodirectionalmovements are compromised not |
| If you cannot, no matter how hard you try, make your | | | | only on the lesioned brain hemispherebut also on the |
| arms and legsmove in opposite directions you are not | | | | unaffected hemisphere. The conclusion is that |
| alone. According to apsychological article by David | | | | boththe left and right hemispheres are needed for |
| Rosenbaum, Penn State University,published in | | | | coordinated musclemovements. When a person |
| November/December Journal of Experimental | | | | suffers a stroke, regardless of the side inwhich the |
| Psychology,your brain is programmed a certain way. | | | | stroke occurred, the synchronization of motor |
| The psychological articleexplains that the brain is the | | | | controlmovements is negatively affected. |