Fundamentals of Motor Control

by Mark L. Latash

Overview

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 control
• Contains balanced perspectives among neuroscience, psychology, physics and biomechanics
• Highlights controversies in the field
• Discusses neurophysiology, control theory, biomechanics, and dynamical systems under one cover
• Links principles of motor control to everyday behaviors
• Includes case studies delving into topics in more detail

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780123914125
Publisher:	Elsevier Science
Publication date:	08/08/2012
Sold by:	Barnes & Noble
Format:	eBook
Pages:	364
File size:	5 MB

About the Author

Mark Latash is a Distinguished Professor of Kinesiology and Director of the Motor Control Laboratory at the Pennsylvania State University. He received equivalents of B.S. in Physics and M.S. in Physics of Living Systems from the Moscow Institute of Physics and Technology, and a Ph.D. in Physiology from Rush University in Chicago. His research interests are focused on the control and coordination of human voluntary movements, movement disorders in neurological disorders, and effects of rehabilitation. He is the author of “Control of Human Movement” (1993) “The Neurophysiological Basis of Movement” (1998, 2008), “Synergy” (2008), and “Fundamentals of Motor Control” (2012). In addition, he edited eight books and published about 350 papers in refereed journals. Mark Latash served as the Founding Editor of the journal “Motor Control” (1996-2007) and as President of the International Society of Motor Control (2001-2005). He has served as Director of the annual Motor Control Summer School series since 2004. He is a recipient of the Bernstein Prize in motor control.

Table of Contents

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

What People are Saying About This

From the Publisher

Summarizes both theory and research on human motor control that examines the neurophysiology, physics, and psychological aspects of volitional movement.

Editorial Reviews

"This book provides all of the essential components needed for a motor control course at the college level. The author is well respected in the field and he supports all of his science with current, peer-reviewed literature." —Doody.com, June 21, 2013

"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." —Doody.com, April 24, 2013

From the Publisher

Reviewer: Erik H. Van Iterson, PhD, MS, MBio (Mayo Clinic)
Description: This book presents a range of areas of study in motor control, spanning the basic foundations to the application of the science in the laboratory setting. The text is complemented by numerous helpful figures and diagrams.
Purpose: The aim is to present a basic understanding of where the field of motor control has been and the basic tenets of the science. It then aims to demonstrate the application of the concepts to laboratory and clinical practice.
Audience: The primary audience is college undergraduates or graduate students, but the book is not meant for introductory level students who do not have a significant amount of previous study in physiology and movement science. Many of the concepts discussed assume readers have a basic understanding of the human sciences.
Features: The book introduces motor control and progresses to where the science is today. It highlights important concepts with figures and diagrams that are easy to understand. Lastly, it provides real-world examples of how this science has been conducted in the laboratory setting to assist in understanding human movement.
Assessment: This book provides all of the essential components needed for a motor control course at the college level. The author is well respected in the field and he supports all of his science with current, peer-reviewed literature. The book is consistent with others in the field and does not miss any key concepts.

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