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Neuromechanics of Joint Coordination

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Encyclopedia of Computational Neuroscience

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Definition

“Neuromechanics of joint coordination in locomotion” addresses the control of synchronized dynamics across multiple limb segments during legged locomotion. It requires integrating perspectives, principles, and methods across the disciplines of neuroscience and biomechanics. The neurophysiological basis for locomotion is tuned to the intrinsic biomechanical constraints and conditions presented by both the organism’s biology and the implicit mechanical tasks required of legged locomotion. It is, therefore, necessary to study joint coordination within the context of identifiable performance goals, which are defined by the biomechanics of the task. Joint coordination can be then viewed as the changes that occur at one joint in response to deviations at another joint with the superseding goal to support a task-level locomotor performance goal.

Detailed Description

Redundancy Is Intrinsic to Legged Locomotion

Legged locomotion requires the coordinated output of numerous...

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Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. School of Applied Physiology, Georgia Institute of Technology, Comparative Neuromechanics Laboratory, 555 14th Street, NW, Atlanta, GA, 30332-0356, USA

    Young-Hui Chang

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  1. Young-Hui Chang
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Correspondence to Young-Hui Chang .

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Editors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Biology, Emory University, Atlanta, GA, USA

    Dieter Jaeger

  2. Department of Biomedical Engineering, Florida International University, Miami, FL, USA

    Ranu Jung

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Chang, YH. (2015). Neuromechanics of Joint Coordination. In: Jaeger, D., Jung, R. (eds) Encyclopedia of Computational Neuroscience. Springer, New York, NY. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4614-6675-8_161

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