Modeling of human movements, neuroprostheses

Modeling of human movements became very important as modern methods in informatics and engeniering are available to discern human movement characteristics that were hidden before. The construction of models of neural control and mechanical execution of human movements helps the diagnosis of movement disorders and predicts the outcome of clinical intervention and medical rehabilitation. Here I present methods for recording kinematic and muscle activity patterns. Measurements can be compared with predicted movement patterns based on mathematical models. There are an infinity of different muscle activity patterns or joint rotation patterns to perform a given motor task. I present the main approaches that are used to find such solutions from the infinity of choices that might be employed by the central nervous system. I present a practical application of movement modeling: In rehabilitation of spinal cord injured patients we develop and apply artificially controlled neuroprostheses to generate active cycling lower limb movements in the patients of the National Institute for Medical Rehabilitation.