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Hierarchy of Motor Control01:18

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The hierarchy of motor control refers to the different levels of organization and processing involved in controlling movement in the body. These levels range from higher cortical areas involved in planning and decision-making to lower spinal cord reflexes that respond automatically to external stimuli.
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A motor unit consists of two main components: a single efferent motor neuron (i.e., a neuron that carries impulses away from the central nervous system) and all of the muscle fibers it innervates. The motor neuron may innervate multiple muscle fibers, which are single cells, but only one motor neuron innervates a single muscle fiber.
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When the neuron of a motor unit fires an action potential, it triggers a series of events, leading to a twitch contraction in the muscle fibers. The process of excitation-contraction coupling is crucial in relaying the action potential to the muscle fibers.
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Hand motor control: maturing an immature science.

Kelly J Cole1

  • 1Dept. of Health and Human Physiology, University of Iowa, Iowa City, Iowa.

Motor Control
|May 2, 2015
PubMed
Summary

The science of hand motor control may be immature, with referent configuration theory as the sole proposed explanation. Critical experimentation is needed to test this theory and advance the field.

Area of Science:

  • Neuroscience
  • Motor Control
  • Biomechanics

Background:

  • Mark Latash proposes referent configuration theory as the sole established theory for hand motor control.
  • Current research in hand motor control is often phenomenological, focusing on observation rather than rigorous testing.
  • The immaturity of the field is suggested if only one theory exists and empirical validation is lacking.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To critically evaluate the current state of hand motor control science.
  • To advocate for rigorous experimental testing of the referent configuration theory.
  • To explore the maturation of motor control research through theory validation.

Main Methods:

  • Literature review and theoretical analysis of existing hand motor control theories.

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  • Discussion of the role of phenomenological research versus critical experimentation.
  • Examination of the uncontrolled manifold hypothesis in the context of theory development.

    • Main Results:

    • The field of hand motor control may lack competing theories, relying heavily on the referent configuration theory.
    • Phenomenological descriptions are prevalent, but critical experimental validation is scarce.
    • The uncontrolled manifold hypothesis is a related framework that warrants further investigation.

    Conclusions:

    • The science of hand motor control requires maturation through critical testing of existing theories.
    • Focusing on experimentally validating the referent configuration theory is crucial for scientific advancement.
    • Developing and testing competing hypotheses will accelerate progress in understanding motor control.