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Kinematic models cannot provide insight into motor control

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  30 August 2019

Arnold B. Mitnitski
Arnold B. Mitnitski
Affiliation:
Institute of Biomedical Engineering, École Polytéchnique, Montreal, QC, C.P. 6079, Succ. Centre Ville, H3C 3A7 Canadaarnold@grbb.polymtl.ca
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Abstract

In Plamondon & Alimi's target article, a bell-shaped velocity profile typically observed in fast movements is used as a basis for the “kinematic theory” of motor control. In our opinion, kinematics is a necessary but insufficient ground for a theory of motor control. Relationships between different kinematic characteristics are an emergent property of the system dynamics controlled by the brain in a specific way. In particular, bell-shaped velocity profiles with or without additional waves are a trivial consequence of shifts in the equilibrium state of the system as suggested, for example, in the λ-model of motor control.

Type
Open Peer Commentary
Information
Behavioral and Brain Sciences , Volume 20 , Issue 2 , June 1997 , pp. 318 - 319
Copyright
1997 Cambridge University Press

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