Seminars in Motor Control

Features a detailed discussion of poorly understood concepts such as control with referent coordinates, synergy, uncontrolled manifold, etc.

Includes a coherent exposition of the recent progress in motor control as an area of natural science.

Provides a unique exposition of the recent theories on the neural control of movement and their applications.

Mark L. Latash approaches motor control as a biological discipline that requires the language of laws of nature, sets of adequate concepts specific for biological movement, and exploration using the scientific method developed in natural science.

Seminars in Motor Control introduces and develops the theory of the parametric control of movement with spatial referent coordinates - a generalization of the equilibrium-point hypothesis - which is naturally compatible with the principle of abundance and the uncontrolled manifold hypothesis. The chapters discuss potential neurophysiological mechanisms involved in ensuring stability of functional movements and the relations among movement stability, agility, and optimality. The author addresses issues such as posture-movement paradox, equifinality and its violations, motor equivalence, muscle coactivation, multi-muscle and intra-muscle synergies, unintentional drifts in performance, kinesthetic perception, changes in movements with fatigue, aging, motor learning, neurological disorders, and rehabilitation.

Consisting of five parts, Seminars in Motor Control examines current research in a clear and accessible style, ideal for graduate students, postdoctoral fellows, and faculty in such departments as kinesiology, neuroscience, physiology, psychology, and physical therapy.