Abstract
A wave model of the central process carrying out parametrization of the trajectories of change in the muscle moment or joint angle is presented. The two fundamental commands controlling the activity of a pair of antagonistic muscles are determined-the commands of reciprocity and co-activation. The gradation of each command is based on a linearly ordered neuronal ensemble. Excitation spreads over the ensemble at a speed fixed by the other levels of the central nervous system. With shift in the wave front the number of tonically active output neurones increases giving discrete contributions to change in the corresponding command by the principle of superposing. The wave speed of change in the command of reciprocity determines the speed of mechanical movement and the final position of the front of the same wave determines the end position of the unit. The proposed theory predicts certain specific properties of the trajectories of movement which may be verified experimentally. With slight modifications the theory is applicable to the description of the generation of trajectories of movement of the head and eyes.
Original language | English (US) |
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Pages (from-to) | 338-342 |
Number of pages | 5 |
Journal | Biophysics |
Volume | 29 |
Issue number | 2 |
State | Published - 1984 |
Externally published | Yes |
All Science Journal Classification (ASJC) codes
- Biophysics