Seminars in Motor Control

Mark L. Latash approaches motor control as a biological discipline that requires the language of laws of nature, sets of adequate concepts specific for biological movement, and exploration using the scientific method developed in natural science.

Seminars in Motor Control introduces and develops the theory of the parametric control of movement with spatial referent coordinates - a generalization of the equilibrium-point hypothesis - which is naturally compatible with the principle of abundance and the uncontrolled manifold hypothesis. The chapters discuss potential neurophysiological mechanisms involved in ensuring stability of functional movements and the relations among movement stability, agility, and optimality. The author addresses issues such as posture-movement paradox, equifinality and its violations, motor equivalence, muscle coactivation, multi-muscle and intra-muscle synergies, unintentional drifts in performance, kinesthetic perception, changes in movements with fatigue, aging, motor learning, neurological disorders, and rehabilitation.

Consisting of five parts, Seminars in Motor Control examines current research in a clear and accessible style, ideal for graduate students, postdoctoral fellows, and faculty in such departments as kinesiology, neuroscience, physiology, psychology, and physical therapy.

Mark L. Latash is a Distinguished Professor of Kinesiology and Director of the Motor Control Laboratory at the Pennsylvania State University. His research interests are focused on the control and coordination of human voluntary movements, movement disorders in neurological disorders, and effects of rehabilitation. He served as the Founding Editor of the journal "Motor Control" (1996-2007) and as President of the International Society of Motor Control (2001-2005).