Abstract
The question of how the central nervous system coordinates muscle activity is central to an understanding of motor control. The authors argue that motor programs may be considered as a characteristic timing of muscle activations linked to specific kinematic events. In particular, muscle activity occurring during human locomotion can be accounted for by five basic temporal components in a variety of locomotion conditions. Spatiotemporal maps of spinal cord motoneuron activation also show discrete periods of activity. Furthermore, the coordination of locomotion with voluntary tasks is accomplished through a superposition of motor programs or activation timings that are separately associated with each task. As a consequence, the selection of muscle synergies appears to be downstream from the processes that generate activation timings.
Original language | English |
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Pages (from-to) | 339-348 |
Number of pages | 10 |
Journal | Neuroscientist |
Volume | 12 |
Issue number | 4 |
DOIs | |
Publication status | Published - Aug 2006 |
Keywords
- Central pattern generator
- EMG activity
- Human locomotion
- Muscle synergies
- Time
ASJC Scopus subject areas
- Neuroscience(all)