V. Sorensen et al., The application of co-ordination dynamics to the analysis of discrete movements using table-tennis as a paradigm skill, BIOL CYBERN, 85(1), 2001, pp. 27-38
The purpose of this experiment was to explore the application of co-ordinat
ion dynamics to the analysis of discrete rather than cyclical movements. Su
bjects, standing in a fixed position, were required to return table-tennis
balls delivered to different spatial locations in the direction of a fixed
target. This was achieved in condition I by systematically scaling, from le
ft to right and vice versa, the 'spatial location' of the ball-identified a
s a control parameter. In condition 2, the control condition, the spatial l
ocation was varied randomly over the same range. The changes between regime
s of the stroke co-ordination pattern, defined at two different levels, (1)
organisational-forehand or backhand drive, and (2) kinematic-the distance
of the bat at ball-bat contact relative to the leading edge of the table, w
ere identified as collective variables, the values of which changed spontan
eously at the transition points exposed by the control parameter. The switc
h between regimes was shown to be dependent upon the direction of scaling,
i.e. a hysteresis effect was identified in both conditions. These findings
confirm that the conceptual and methodological frameworks of co-ordination
dynamics can be applied, appropriately, to the analysis of discrete movemen
ts. Moreover, it would seem that control parameter values (spatial location
of the ball) do not necessarily have to be scaled in a systematic way in o
rder to produce the required effects.