The ability for the human motor cortex to change based on experience is now well accepted. Termed Neuroplasticity, convincing evidence is available to challenge the long held view of a functionally stable neocortex that is unable to change. This book presents and discusses data which was collected using the technique of transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS), as evidence of Neuroplasticity following short and long term skill and strength training.

It is well-established that the human nervous system is able to modify its functions in response to activity or experience. This response has been termed ‘neuroplasticity’ and involves the reorganisation of neural circuits that control human movement. Recent evidence suggests that the primary motor cortex (M1) can experience neuroplasticity following various types of physical activity. Although neuroplasticity can be stimulated in a variety of ways, recently, it has been reported following exercise, injury and during periods of rehabilitation. This book introduces the key concepts that underpin human motor control and its application to exercise science and rehabilitation. The topics covered here integrate research, theory and the clinical applications of exercise neuroscience that will support students, researchers and clinicians to understand how the nervous system responds, or adapts, to physical activity, training, rehabilitation and disease. The book uses a mix of neuromuscular physiology, electrophysiology and muscle physiology to provide a synthesis of current knowledge and research in the field of exercise neuroscience that specifically examines the effects of exercise training, injury and rehabilitation of the human nervous system. This is the first textbook of its kind that describes the neurological benefits of exercise, and will be a highly valuable text for undergraduate students studying exercise science, exercise physiology and physiotherapy.

Traumatic brain injury (TBI) remains a significant source of death and permanent disability, contributing to nearly one-third of all injury related deaths in the United States and exacting a profound personal and economic toll. Despite the increased resources that have recently been brought to bear to improve our understanding of TBI, the developme

Janet Carr and Roberta Shepherd head up a new team of eminent authors for the second edition of this definitive text on neurological physiotherapy. In the first edition, the authors described a model of neurological rehabilitation for individuals with motor dysfunction based on scientific research in the areas of neuromuscular control, biomechanics, motor skill learning, and the link between cognition and action, together with developments in pathology and adaptation. The new edition continues to advance this model while identifying and incorporating the many advances that have occurred in the last decade in the understanding and treatment of adults with neurological conditions, whether caused by accident or disease. Among these advances is the knowledge that the brain retains a plastic potential to reorganize, even in old and/or lesioned brains, and that neural plasticity can be influenced by task-related mental and physical practice in a stimulating environment. There is also an increasing body of knowledge related to the musculoskeletal system's adaptability and the need to prevent length and stiffness- related changes in muscle contractility, together with loss of aerobic fitness and endurance. There is an expanding body of clinical research that appears to support the model provided here. The training guidelines outlined in Neurological Rehabilitation are based on biomechanical constructs and motor relearning research, applied to enhance brain reorganization and muscle contractility, and encourage functional recovery of the patient. It connects science and clinical practice enabling students and practitioners to develop their knowledge and use new clinical methods based on modern scientific understanding. All chapters have been revised, some with the collaboration of five specialists who are engaged in high level scientific research and clinical practice Biomechanical models are presented to provide a framework for action-specific training and exercise to improve performance Clinical guidelines are science- and evidence-based Emphasis is on new approaches to the delivery of neurological rehabilitation that increase the time spent in mental and physical activity, and the intensity of practice and exercise Up-to-date referencing

Reflects on developments in noninvasive electromyography, and includes advances and applications in signal detection, processing and interpretation Addresses EMG imaging technology together with the issue of decomposition of surface EMG Includes advanced single and multi-channel techniques for information extraction from surface EMG signals Presents the analysis and information extraction of surface EMG at various scales, from motor units to the concept of muscle synergies.

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Written by an award-winning developmental neuroscientist, this is a comprehensive and cutting-edge account of the latest research on the adolescent brain.

This book focuses on the functions of corticospinal projections in the primate brain. Recent observations concerning the details of the cortico-cortical connections which contribute to the determination of these functions are presented in this volume. The details of cell-to-cell connectivity which allows corticospinal neurones to influence selectively the behaviors of individual motor units in the hands of both monkeys and humans are also covered. The experimental observations are dealt with against an historical background of histological and electrical examination of the motor areas of the cerebral cortex of humans, and the clinical significance of recent observations is discussed in connection with studies of the functions of the human brain during voluntary execution of movement, revealed by such techniques as positron emission tomography (PET). Neuroanatomical and neurophysiological details are correlated with measures of dexterity in movement performance and also used to account for the deficits in movement control which follow stroke, the learning of skill in movement performance and the rehabilitation of movement capacity after brain injury and disease.

Neuromechanics of Human Movement, Fifth Edition, draws on the disciplines of neurophysiology and physics to explore how the nervous system controls the actions of muscles to produce human motion. This contemporary approach is much different from the traditional approach, which focuses solely on mechanics and does not consider the role of the sensorimotor system in the control of human movement. Authored by Roger Enoka, a widely recognized and esteemed scholar in neuromechanics, this influential text is an essential resource in biomechanics, motor learning, and applied physiology, making complex information accessible to students. With material based on updated research in the field, this fifth edition provides a scientific foundation to the study of human movement, and as such it uses precise terms and definitions when discussing ideas. An appendix showcases both the base and derived units of the metric system as well as other learning tools, including a glossary of terms and a comprehensive list of the equations presented throughout the text. The text includes 70 practical learning examples, giving students the opportunity to work through a variety of problems and explore current research and applications. Content is visually reinforced with 341 figures, including specific illustrations of the neuromechanics involved in sport and rehabilitation movements. References have been streamlined and moved to the end of each chapter to improve readability. And instructors will benefit from an image bank that includes most of the figures and tables from the text to use in course materials. Significant content updates in the fifth edition present information relevant for both research and clinical environments, including more contemporary examples throughout the text and a new chapter on movement analysis. The following are additional key changes: • New figures that highlight and clarify key points • New information on energy costs • Debunking the concept of motor unit types • Detailed information on the center of mass trajectory • Explanation of neuromodulation • Additional content on PET imaging to help examine activity intensity To encourage a comprehensive learning experience, this updated edition follows a logical progression where each part builds on the material from the previous section. It begins with an introduction to the biomechanical terms and concepts commonly used to describe movement, focusing on the relation between force and motion. Part II deals with the motor system and introduces essential concepts from neurophysiology required for understanding how movement is produced by the nervous system. Part III focuses on adaptability of the motor system, including the acute and chronic changes that can occur in response to deviations in an individual’s level of physical activity. The fifth edition of Neuromechanics of Human Movement provides a scientific basis for the study of human movement while continuing to expand current knowledge in the fields of biomechanics and neurophysiology. By integrating these fields in a unique framework, this text offers professionals and students both valuable clinical information and inspiration to deepen their study of human movement.