Explaining human motor coordination via the synergy expansion hypothesis.

ABSTRACT: The search for an answer to Bernstein's degrees of freedom problem has propelled a large portion of research studies in human motor control over the past six decades. Different theories have been developed to explain how humans might use their incredibly complex neuro-musculo-skeletal system with astonishing ease. Among these theories, motor synergies appeared as one possible explanation. In this work, the authors investigate the nature and role of synergies and propose a theoretical framework, namely the "expansion hypothesis," to answer Bernstein's problem. The expansion hypothesis is articulated in three propositions: mechanical, developmental, and behavioral. Each proposition addresses a different question on the nature of synergies: i) How many synergies can humans have? ii) How do we

SUBMITTER: Tessari F 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12002196 | biostudies-literature | 2025 Apr

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature