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In Vivo Wireless Optogenetic Control of Skilled Motor Behavior
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Sensorimotor control in overarm throwing.

M A Urbin1

  • 1Department of Kinesiology, Auburn University, Auburn, AL, USA.

Motor Control
|November 20, 2012
PubMed
Summary
This summary is machine-generated.

This review explores how visual information guides limb movements. It investigates the complex sensorimotor control mechanisms behind whole-body actions like the overarm throw, crucial for accuracy and speed.

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Area of Science:

  • Motor Control
  • Neuroscience
  • Biomechanics

Background:

  • Cortical regions rely on continuous visual information for goal-directed limb movement control.
  • Extensive research confirms visual input's role in sensorimotor system's online control of limb movements.
  • Mechanisms for complex, ballistic, whole-body coordination are less understood.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review existing motor control research (neurophysiology, neuropsychology, psychophysics).
  • To speculate on the sensorimotor control mechanisms underlying overarm throwing performance.
  • To understand how joint rotations are timed for kinetic energy transfer in overarm throws.

Main Methods:

  • Literature review synthesizing findings from neurophysiology, neuropsychology, and psychophysics.
  • Analysis of the biomechanics of overarm throwing, focusing on joint coordination.
  • Speculative synthesis to propose control mechanisms for complex movements.

Main Results:

  • Visual information is critical for online, goal-directed limb movements.
  • Overarm throwing requires optimal timing of joint rotations for kinetic energy transfer.
  • The precise sensorimotor control for ballistic, whole-body movements remains an open question.

Conclusions:

  • Understanding the sensorimotor control of complex actions like overarm throwing is essential.
  • Further research is needed to elucidate the mechanisms guiding ballistic, whole-body coordination.
  • Integrating knowledge across motor control domains can advance our understanding of complex movement.