Experimental and computational assessment of the mechanical, musculo-skeletal and neuromuscular contributions to rhythmic multi-joint arm movements (2007-2010)

Coordinated movement of the human body requires control strategies that take into account the complex mechanical interactions between multiple joints and muscles, as well as the basic structure and organization of the nervous system. The aim of this project is to systematically assess the respective contribution of these factors to the control of rhythmic, multi-joint movements of the human arm, and create a mathematical model that captures the essential elements of the movement control system. The approach involves a novel and sophisticated combination of experimentation and simulation, and should yield important insights into the control of human movement that have direct relevance for rehabilitation, prosthesis design, and robotics.