Somatosensory Information in Skilled Motor Performance: A Narrative Review

Abstract

Historically, research aimed at improving motor performance has largely focused on the neural processes involved in motor execution due to their role in muscle activation. However, accompanying somatosensory and proprioceptive sensory information is also vitally involved in performing motor skills. Here we review research from interdisciplinary fields to provide a description for how somatosensation informs the successful performance of motor skills as well as emphasize the need for careful selection of study methods to isolate the neural processes involved in somatosensory perception. We also discuss upcoming strategies of intervention that have been used to improve performance via somatosensory targets. We believe that a greater appreciation for somatosensation's role in motor learning and control will enable researchers and practitioners to develop and apply methods for the enhancement of human performance that will benefit clinical, healthy, and elite populations alike.

Keywords: motor control; proprioception; sensory integration; sensory uncertainty; somatosensation.