Neural and Muscular Properties: Current Views and Controversies

Much of this book is devoted to the understanding of control of posture and movement, and a number of different viewpoints will be presented. Theories regarding the control of posture and movement have arisen from analyses performed over a wide range of levels, from the microstructure of individual elements of the system to the broadest mechanical features of a whole joint or limb. This chapter will not attempt to present a unified theory regarding the control of posture and movement. A number of later chapters in this volume, however, will address these more global themes. Our role in this volume is to briefly present a summary of the current understanding of muscle contractile mechanisms and reflex organization on which any successful theory must be based, providing numerous references for the readers interested in more detail.