Abstract
Biomechanics and motor control are discussed as parts of a more general science, physics of living systems. Major problems of biomechanics deal with exact definition of variables and their experimental measurement. In motor control, major problems are associated with formulating currently unknown laws of nature specific for movements by biological objects. Mechanics-based hypotheses in motor control, such as those originating from notions of a generalized motor program and internal models, are non-physical. The famous problem of motor redundancy is wrongly formulated; it has to be replaced by the principle of abundance, which does not pose computational problems for the central nervous system. Biomechanical methods play a central role in motor control studies. This is illustrated with studies with the reconstruction of hypothetical control variables and those exploring motor synergies within the framework of the uncontrolled manifold hypothesis. Biomechanics and motor control have to merge into physics of living systems, and the earlier this process starts the better.
| Original language | English (US) |
|---|---|
| Pages (from-to) | 7-20 |
| Number of pages | 14 |
| Journal | Journal of Human Kinetics |
| Volume | 52 |
| Issue number | 1 |
| DOIs | |
| State | Published - Sep 1 2016 |
Fingerprint
All Science Journal Classification (ASJC) codes
- Physical Therapy, Sports Therapy and Rehabilitation
- Physiology (medical)
Cite this
}
Biomechanics as a window into the neural control of movement. / Latash, Mark L.
In: Journal of Human Kinetics, Vol. 52, No. 1, 01.09.2016, p. 7-20.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article
TY - JOUR
T1 - Biomechanics as a window into the neural control of movement
AU - Latash, Mark L.
PY - 2016/9/1
Y1 - 2016/9/1
N2 - Biomechanics and motor control are discussed as parts of a more general science, physics of living systems. Major problems of biomechanics deal with exact definition of variables and their experimental measurement. In motor control, major problems are associated with formulating currently unknown laws of nature specific for movements by biological objects. Mechanics-based hypotheses in motor control, such as those originating from notions of a generalized motor program and internal models, are non-physical. The famous problem of motor redundancy is wrongly formulated; it has to be replaced by the principle of abundance, which does not pose computational problems for the central nervous system. Biomechanical methods play a central role in motor control studies. This is illustrated with studies with the reconstruction of hypothetical control variables and those exploring motor synergies within the framework of the uncontrolled manifold hypothesis. Biomechanics and motor control have to merge into physics of living systems, and the earlier this process starts the better.
AB - Biomechanics and motor control are discussed as parts of a more general science, physics of living systems. Major problems of biomechanics deal with exact definition of variables and their experimental measurement. In motor control, major problems are associated with formulating currently unknown laws of nature specific for movements by biological objects. Mechanics-based hypotheses in motor control, such as those originating from notions of a generalized motor program and internal models, are non-physical. The famous problem of motor redundancy is wrongly formulated; it has to be replaced by the principle of abundance, which does not pose computational problems for the central nervous system. Biomechanical methods play a central role in motor control studies. This is illustrated with studies with the reconstruction of hypothetical control variables and those exploring motor synergies within the framework of the uncontrolled manifold hypothesis. Biomechanics and motor control have to merge into physics of living systems, and the earlier this process starts the better.
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=84988624754&partnerID=8YFLogxK
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/citedby.url?scp=84988624754&partnerID=8YFLogxK
U2 - 10.1515/hukin-2015-0190
DO - 10.1515/hukin-2015-0190
M3 - Article
C2 - 28149390
AN - SCOPUS:84988624754
VL - 52
SP - 7
EP - 20
JO - Journal of Human Kinetics
JF - Journal of Human Kinetics
SN - 1640-5544
IS - 1
ER -