Comparative effects of whole-body vibration on sensorimotor performance achieved with a mini-stick and a macro-stick in force and position control modes.

The aim of this investigation was to assess the performance of subjects in a target recentering task, performed under both normal and vibration conditions. A conventional helicopter stick and an arm-side controller were used in both position and force control modes. The task was designed to simulate instrument flying. The results showed that in the no-vibration situation, the highest performance was achieved in the force control mode and little difference was observed between the two sticks. They also showed that vibration impaired the velocity control of the performance. It is suggested that the subject might be switching over from a visual and arm afferent and efferent control in the no-vibration situation, to a visual control only under vibration condition. From this study, it appears that the more efficient stick to execute the designed task is the mini-stick operating in the force control mode.