Progress in Motor Control: Crossroads between Neurophysiology and Applications

"Progress in Motor Control: Crossroads between Neurophysiology and Applications" offers an in-depth look at the evolving field of motor control, synthesizing the latest research. This volume explores the complex roles of the central nervous system in movement, featuring contributions from leading experts who use approaches ranging from basic physical principles to advanced control theory. It addresses applied aspects of motor control, focusing on recovery strategies for functional movements in patients with spinal cord injuries, subcortical disorders, and strokes. Organized into five sections, the book covers theoretical advances, neurophysiological mechanisms, motor learning, neural plasticity, and motor disorders, including topics like neural population dynamics and vestibulospinal reflexes. The final sections highlight strategies for improving recovery after neurological events. This resource bridges foundational research and clinical application, making it invaluable for researchers, clinicians, and students in motor control, neuroscience and rehabilitation.

Divided into five comprehensive parts, the book covers theoretical advances, neurophysiological mechanisms, motor learning, neural plasticity, and motor disorders, including essential topics like neural population dynamics and the dual role of vestibulospinal reflexes. Final sections highlight practical strategies for improving recovery outcomes following neurological events.

Mark Latash is a Distinguished Professor of Kinesiology and Director of the Motor Control Laboratory at the Pennsylvania State University. He received equivalents of B.S. in Physics and M.S. in Physics of Living Systems from the Moscow Institute of Physics and Technology, and a Ph.D. in Physiology from Rush University in Chicago. His research interests are focused on the control and coordination of human voluntary movements, movement disorders in neurological disorders, and effects of rehabilitation. He is the author of “Control of Human Movement” (1993) “The Neurophysiological Basis of Movement” (1998, 2008), “Synergy” (2008), and “Fundamentals of Motor Control” (2012). In addition, he edited eight books and published about 350 papers in refereed journals. Mark Latash served as the Founding Editor of the journal “Motor Control” (1996-2007) and as President of the International Society of Motor Control (2001-2005). He has served as Director of the annual Motor Control Summer School series since 2004. He is a recipient of the Bernstein Prize in motor control.

Mariusz P. Furmanek, PhD, PT, DPT is a new Assistant Professor in the Physical Therapy Department at the University of Rhode Island. He graduated from the Academy of Physical Education in Katowice, Poland, in Physical Therapy, Physical Education, and Kinesiology. Dr. Furmanek completed Postdoctoral Fellowship in the Movement Neuroscience Laboratory, Department of Physical Therapy Movement and Rehabilitation Sciences at Northeastern University in Boston, where he received his DPT. He has clinical experience in outpatient orthopedics and neurorehabilitation. Dr. Furmanek’s research and academic focus are on Motor Control and Neuroscience in rehabilitation, athletic training, and virtual engagement.

Dr. Levin, physiotherapist (McGill University), obtained a M.Sc. in Clinical Sciences (University of Montreal 1985) and a Ph.D. in Physiology (McGill 1990). Dr. Levin was a researcher and professor in the School of Rehabilitation at U Montreal and since 2004, she has been at the School of Physical and Occupational Therapy (SPOT) at McGill University. She was Research Director of the Rehabilitation Institute of Montreal (1997-2001) and Physical Therapy Program Director at SPOT (2004-2008). She was Research Scholar of the Quebec Health Research Fund (1992-2004) and held a Tier 1 Canada Research Chair in Motor Recovery and Rehabilitation (2005-2019). She is currently a Distinguished James McGill Professor and a member of the Canadian Academy of Health Sciences. Dr. Levin is the President of the International Society of Motor Control and is a Past-President of the International Society for Virtual Rehabilitation (2015-2017). She is also a Board member of the International Neurological Physiotherapy Association of the World Physiotherapy Association and editor of the journal "Motor Control". She has over 180 peer-reviewed publications. Her research focuses on elucidating mechanisms underlying sensorimotor deficits and their recovery in patients with CNS lesions. Amongst her research methodologies are new technologies such as virtual reality and robotics.

Monica A. Perez, PT, PhD, is an internationally recognized leader in spinal cord injury (SCI) research. At Shirley Ryan AbilityLab, she leads a translational research team to orchestrate the application of the most modern methods for measuring upper-extremity function.

Eugene Tunik has a BS in Physical Therapy (Northeastern University) and PhD in Neuroscience (Rutgers University). He is a tenured Professor in the Department of Physical Therapy, Movement, and Rehabilitation Sciences and Associate Dean of Research and Innovation at the Bouvé College of Health Sciences. He directs the Laboratory for Movement Neuroscience, where research focuses on studying cognitive-motor interactions in health and disease, as well as improving human-robot interactions. Approaches in the lab include virtual reality, non-invasive brain stimulation, physiological recording, and measurement of movement.