Impact of task constraints on a 3D visuomotor tracking task in virtual reality

Objective: The aim of the present study was to evaluate the impact of different task constraints on the participants’ adaptation when performing a 3D visuomotor tracking task in a virtual environment. Methods: Twenty-three voluntary participants were tested with the HTC Vive Pro Eye VR headset in a task that consisted of tracking a virtual target moving in a cube with an effector controlled with the preferred hand. Participants performed 120 trials under three task constraints (gain, size, speed), each with four randomized conditions. The target-effector distance and elbow range of movement were measured. Results: The results showed an increase in the distance to the target when the task constraints were the strongest. In addition, a change in movement kinematics was observed, involving an increase in elbow amplitude as task constraints increased. It also appeared that the depth dimension played a major role in task difficulty and elbow amplitude and coupling in the tracking task. Conclusion: This research is an essential step towards characterizing interactions with a 3D virtual environment and showing how virtual constraints can facilitate arm involvement in the depth dimension.

Héloïse Baillet, Simone Burin-Chu, Laure Lejeune, Morgan Le Chénéchal, Régis Thouvarecq, Nicolas Benguigui, Pascale Leconte