*Result*: Resisting the Avatar: Motor Responses to Spatial Distortions in Upper- and Lower-Limb Reaching Without Visual Targets.

Title:
Resisting the Avatar: Motor Responses to Spatial Distortions in Upper- and Lower-Limb Reaching Without Visual Targets.
Source:
IEEE transactions on visualization and computer graphics [IEEE Trans Vis Comput Graph] 2026 Mar; Vol. 32 (3), pp. 2798-2811.
Publication Type:
Journal Article
Language:
English
Journal Info:
Publisher: IEEE Computer Society Country of Publication: United States NLM ID: 9891704 Publication Model: Print Cited Medium: Internet ISSN: 1941-0506 (Electronic) Linking ISSN: 10772626 NLM ISO Abbreviation: IEEE Trans Vis Comput Graph Subsets: MEDLINE
Imprint Name(s):
Original Publication: New York, NY : IEEE Computer Society, c1995-
Entry Date(s):
Date Created: 20260122 Date Completed: 20260211 Latest Revision: 20260212
Update Code:
20260212
DOI:
10.1109/TVCG.2026.3656778
PMID:
41570099
Database:
MEDLINE

*Further Information*

*Avatars can serve as virtual representations of a user's body, replicating their movements in real time within an immersive environment. When these movements are closely synchronized with those of the user, a sense of embodiment over the avatar is often experienced. Recent research shows that introducing spatial offsets between a user's real movements and those of their avatar can alter motor behavior, with users aligning with the distorted avatar. While previous studies have typically focused on upper-limb movements toward visual targets, it remains unclear how users respond to distortions without such targets, particularly during lower-limb tasks where postural demands may impose constraints. This study examined whether users adjust their movements to follow their distorted avatar during upper- and lower-limb reaching without visual targets. Twenty-four participants performed reaching tasks while their avatar's movements were spatially offset. Results revealed that participants counteracted the avatar's distortion by moving in the opposite direction in both limb tasks. These findings suggest that, in the absence of explicit visual targets, participants treat spatial distortions as execution errors and prioritize internal movement goals over minimizing sensory conflict. This suggests that adaptation depends not only on a strong embodiment but also on whether the task performance permits reducing the mismatch between the user's and the avatar's movements.*