Fundamentals of Motor Control

Motor control is a relatively young field of research exploring how the nervous system produces purposeful, coordinated movements in its interaction with the body and the environment through conscious and unsconscious thought. Many books purporting to cover motor control have veered off course to examine biomechanics and physiology rather than actual control, leaving a gap in the literature. This book covers all the major perspectives in motor control, with a balanced approach. There are chapters explicitly dedicated to control theory, to dynamical systems, to biomechanics, to different behaviors, and to motor learning, including case studies.

Reviews current research in motor controlContains balanced perspectives among neuroscience, psychology, physics and biomechanicsHighlights controversies in the fieldDiscusses neurophysiology, control theory, biomechanics, and dynamical systems under one coverLinks principles of motor control to everyday behaviorsIncludes case studies delving into topics in more detail

Preface

1. A Philosophical Introduction

2. Elements of History

3. Features of the System for Movement Production

4. Instructive Examples

5. Control with Forces  and Torques

6. Control with Muscle Activations

7. Control Theory Approaches

8. Physical Approaches

9. Coordination

10. Neurophysiological Structures

11. Exemplary Behaviors

12. Effects of Practice and Adaptation

13. Methods in Motor Control Studies

Glossary

Index