Biomechanics and Motor Control: Defining Central Concepts (Hardcover)

Biomechanics and Motor Control: Defining Central Concepts provides a thorough update to the rapidly evolving fields of biomechanics of human motion and motor control with research published in biology psychology physics medicine physical therapy robotics and engineering consistently breaking new ground. This book clarifies the meaning of the most frequently used terms and consists of four parts with part one covering biomechanical concepts including joint torques stiffness and stiffness-like measures viscosity damping and impedance and mechanical work and energy. Other sections deal with neurophysiological concepts used in motor control such as muscle tone reflex pre-programmed reactions efferent copy and central pattern generator and central motor control concepts including redundancy and abundance synergy equilibrium-point hypothesis and motor program and posture and prehension from the field of motor behavior. The book is organized to cover smaller concepts within the context of larger concepts. For example internal models are covered in the chapter on motor programs. Major concepts are not only defined but given context as to how research came to use the term in this manner.