Musculoskeletal mechanics: a foundation of motor physiology

The design of the musculoskeletal system has always been a major consideration in the interpretation of experiments on the motor system. However, as motor physiology progresses toward a more comprehensive picture of motor behaviour, the study of the musculoskeletal system has of necessity, and of interest, come to depend more and more on the quantitative methods of biomechanics. Biomechanical studies have led to new hypotheses about the design of the motor system and biomechanical considerations have provided important tests of existing hypotheses concerning the neural control of movement. These hypotheses include global issues such as redundancy and encoded variables as well as specific hypotheses such as Stiffness Regulation, Selective Recruitment and the concept of Flexor Reflex Afferents.