ADVANCES IN NEURAL CONTROL OF MOVEMENTS (2020)

  • Description: 

    Controlling human movement involves intrinsic neurophysiological features that modulate motor actions. Motor actions occur predominantly against some type of mechanical resistance and/or environmental interaction. It has become evident that a true understanding of human movement requires one to gather knowledge in human neurophysiology and neuromechanics.

    Therefore, this course has two aims: 1) to provide a basic background on movement neurophysiology and neuromechanics, integrating the two areas to offer a global understanding on movement control, and 2) to provide students with the latest trends in research on neural control of movements, both in mechanical and physiological terms. In this course, we will offer the possibility to integrate the understanding of movement execution with its neural foundation, to determine the timing and weighting of commands in the central and peripheral nervous system, and how mechanical constraints affect movement control.

    Topics covered in the course will include basic physiological and mechanical factors of movement control; novel methods in neurophysiology and neuromechanics research; control of human locomotion and cyclical movements; control of upper limb movements (reaching and grasping), and perspectives in neurorehabilitation. Students will have the opportunity to reflect on these research trends and discuss the potential use of neurophysiological measurements in their own PhD studies by performing presentations during the course.

  • Literature: Selected papers and book chapters will be provided to the participants shortly before the course.

  • Prerequisites: A basic background within anatomy and physiology is desirable. Knowledge in movement biomechanics is desirable, but not necessary.

  • Evaluation: Students will be asked to make a presentation integrating the content from lectures to solving aspects of their PhD projects. The three lecturers will be present during the presentations, maximizing the possibility of providing useful feedback to the students.

  • Organizer: Associate Professor Anderson Oliveira, email: oliveira@mp.aau.dk, Associate Professor Andrew J.T. Stevenson, email: ajts@hst.aau.dk, Associate Professor Strahinja Dosen: e-mail: sdosen@hst.aau.dk

  • Lecturers: Anderson Oliveira, Andrew J.T. Stevenson, Strahinja Dosen and other local and external speakers

  • ECTS: 2.0

  • Dates: November 10, 17 & 24 (8.15-12.00)

  • Place: Fredrik Bajers Vej 7E, room E3-109

  • Deadline: October 20

  • Number of seats: 30

    Important information concerning PhD courses: We have over some time experienced problems with no-show for both project and general courses. It has now reached a point where we are forced to take action. Therefore, the Doctoral School has decided to introduce a no-show fee of DKK 3,000 for each course where the student does not show up. Cancellations are accepted no later than 2 weeks before start of the course. Registered illness is of course an acceptable reason for not showing up on those days. Furthermore, all courses open for registration approximately four months before start. This can hopefully also provide new students a chance to register for courses during the year. We look forward to your registrations.