Biomechanics and neural control of movement, 20 years later: what have we learned and what has changed?

Andrew D Nordin; William Z Rymer; Andrew A Biewener; Andrew B Schwartz; Daofen Chen; Fay B Horak

doi:10.1186/s12984-017-0298-y

Biomechanics and neural control of movement, 20 years later: what have we learned and what has changed?

J Neuroeng Rehabil. 2017 Sep 11;14(1):91. doi: 10.1186/s12984-017-0298-y.

Authors

Andrew D Nordin¹, William Z Rymer^{2

3}, Andrew A Biewener⁴, Andrew B Schwartz⁵, Daofen Chen⁶, Fay B Horak^{7

8}

Affiliations

¹ University of Florida, PO Box 116131, Gainesville, FL, 32611, USA. andrew.nordin@bme.ufl.edu.
² Rehabilitation Institute of Chicago, Chicago, USA.
³ Northwestern University, Evanston, USA.
⁴ Harvard University, Cambridge, USA.
⁵ University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, USA.
⁶ National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke, Bethesda, USA.
⁷ Oregon Health and Science University, Portland, USA.
⁸ Veterans Affairs Portland Health Care System, Portland, USA.

Abstract

We summarize content from the opening thematic session of the 20th anniversary meeting for Biomechanics and Neural Control of Movement (BANCOM). Scientific discoveries from the past 20 years of research are covered, highlighting the impacts of rapid technological, computational, and financial growth on motor control research. We discuss spinal-level communication mechanisms, relationships between muscle structure and function, and direct cortical movement representations that can be decoded in the control of neuroprostheses. In addition to summarizing the rich scientific ideas shared during the session, we reflect on research infrastructure and capacity that contributed to progress in the field, and outline unresolved issues and remaining open questions.

Keywords: BANCOM; Biomechanics; Cortex; Locomotion; Motor control; Spinal cord.

Publication types

Review

MeSH terms

Biomechanical Phenomena / physiology*
Humans
Locomotion / physiology
Motor Skills
Movement / physiology*
Nervous System Physiological Phenomena*
Neural Prostheses
Spinal Cord / physiology