A5075340337- Motor Control and Adaptation
- Muscle activation and electromyography studies
- Neural dynamics and brain function
- EEG and Brain-Computer Interfaces
- Vestibular and auditory disorders
- Spaceflight effects on biology
- Sports Performance and Training
- Knee injuries and reconstruction techniques
- Action Observation and Synchronization
- Lower Extremity Biomechanics and Pathologies
- Heart Rate Variability and Autonomic Control
- High Altitude and Hypoxia
- Sports injuries and prevention
- Robot Manipulation and Learning
- Visual perception and processing mechanisms
- Ion channel regulation and function
- Neuroscience and Neural Engineering
- Balance, Gait, and Falls Prevention
- Cardiovascular and exercise physiology
- Total Knee Arthroplasty Outcomes
- Teleoperation and Haptic Systems
- Prosthetics and Rehabilitation Robotics
- Emotion and Mood Recognition
- Mechanics and Biomechanics Studies
- Cardiovascular and Diving-Related Complications
University of Milano-Bicocca
2021-2025
Providence College
2025
ETH Zurich
2015-2024
Northwestern University
2016-2023
University of Pavia
2007-2022
University of Zurich
2010-2014
Politecnico di Milano
2009
University of Catania
2006
In this paper we review the works related to muscle synergies that have been carried-out in neuroscience and control engineering. particular, refer hypothesis central nervous system (CNS) generates desired contractions by combining a small number of predefined modules, called synergies. We provide an overview methods employed test validity scheme, show how concept synergy has generalized for artificial agents. The comparison between these two lines research, particular their different goals...
The posterior parietal cortex (PPC) is an associative neocortical region that integrates multiple streams of information and implicated in spatial cognition decision making. In some cases, however, the PPC not required for these functions. One possibility recruited when complexity high. Yet, few studies function have explicitly manipulated environmental complexity, changes, or temporal structure tasks. To examine whether task recruits function, we tested rats with neurotoxic damage to dorsal...
The human body was not designed by engineers and the way in which it is built poses enormous control problems. Its complexity challenges ability of classical theory to explain movement as well development motor skills. It our working hypothesis that engineering paradigm for building robots places severe limitations on kinds interactions such can engage in, knowledge they acquire their environment, therefore nature cognitive engagement with environment. This paper describes design an...
Anthropomimetic robotics differs from conventional approaches by capitalizing on the replication of inner structures human body, such as muscles, tendons, bones, and joints. Here we present our results more than three years research in constructing, simulating, and, most importantly, controlling anthropomimetic robots. We manufactured four physical torsos, each complex its predecessor, developed tools required to simulate their behavior. Furthermore, six different control approaches,...
Many studies have demonstrated covariation between muscle activations during behavior, suggesting that muscles are not controlled independently. According to one common proposal, this reflects simplification of task performance by the nervous system so with similar contributions variables together. Alternatively, might reflect regulation low-level aspects movements across tasks, such as stresses within joints. We examined these issues analyzing patterns in quadriceps activity locomotion...
Abstract Purpose The central nervous system (CNS) coordinates anticipatory (APA) and compensatory postural adjustments (CPA) to face both self-induced external perturbations. Neuromuscular fatigue (NMF), whether localized or general, impairs the CNS's ability maintain stability, but differential effects of these types on coupling between APA CPA remain unclear. This study aimed investigate how general NMF influence neuromuscular control during predictable Methods Fourteen participants were...
In order to produce movements, muscles must act through joints. The translation from muscle force limb movement is mediated by internal joint structures that permit in some directions but constrain it others. Although forces acting against constrained will not affect such can cause excess stresses and strains structures, leading pain or injury. this study, we hypothesized the central nervous system (CNS) chooses activations avoid excessive strains. We evaluated hypothesis examining...
Abstract Objective . To study the neural control of movement, it is often necessary to estimate how muscles are activated across a variety behavioral conditions. One approach try extracting underlying command signal by applying latent variable modeling methods electromyographic (EMG) recordings. However, estimating that underlies muscle activation challenging due its complex relation with recorded EMG signals. Common approaches each muscle’s independently or require manual tuning model...
Analyses of experimental data acquired from humans and other vertebrates have suggested that motor commands may emerge the combination a limited set modules. While many studies focused on physiological aspects this modularity, in paper we propose an investigation its theoretical foundations. We consider problem controlling planar kinematic chain, restrict admissible actuations to linear combinations small torque profiles (i.e. synergies). This scheme is equivalent time-varying synergy model,...
Abstract We evaluated whether the central nervous system (CNS) chooses muscle activations not only to achieve behavioral goals but also minimize stresses and strains within joints. analyzed coordination between quadriceps muscles during locomotion in rats before after imposing a lateral force on patella. Vastus lateralis (VL) vastus medialis (VM) rat produce identical knee torques opposing mediolateral patellar forces. If CNS regulates internal joint stresses, we predicted that load by...
Saccadic eye-movements play a crucial role in visuo-motor control by allowing rapid foveation onto new targets. However, the neural processes governing saccades adaptation are not fully understood. Saccades, due to short-time of execution (20–100 ms) and absence sensory information for online feedback control, must be controlled ballistic manner. Incomplete measurements movement trajectory, such as visual endpoint error, supposedly used form internal predictions about kinematics resulting...
According to the model of muscle synergies, central nervous system (CNS) is organised in a modular structure, such that any activation can be produced as linear superposition predefined time-varying profiles (i.e. synergies). This organisation might contribute simplify control musculoskeletal apparatus. Taking inspiration from these findings, we propose method identify synergies used given dynamical for task tracking set trajectories. Further, show how same approach applied assess impact...
One of the common approaches to automatic emotion recognition problem is based on biological signal analysis. In this context, paper aims at identifying component related levels arousal subjects, and use such a automatically discriminate among these levels. We have formalized as classification problem. order allow system generalize over different we addressed two crucial aspects procedure: normalization cross-validation. Assuming that subjects could react differently same stimuli, defined...
Sensory afferents originating from knee joint receptors provide the nervous system with information about internal state of joint. In this study, we show that these sensory signals are used to modulate covariations among activity a subset vasti muscles across strides locomotion. Sport-related injuries damage may therefore compromise mechanisms muscle coordination, potentially leading persistent stresses and strains.
Performing physical exercises is one of the more established countermeasures against cardiovascular deconditioning during space flights. However, a systematic evaluation physiological effects this training in microgravity conditions still lacking. This manuscript first step towards such an assessment. Thirteen male voluntary subjects performed leg press microgravity-like condition (head-down tilt). We observed changes parameters as after exercises, with increase blood volume, heart rate and...
Abstract The physiological processes underlying hemodynamic homeostasis can be modulated by muscle activity and gravitational loading. effects of leg on cardiovascular regulation have been observed during orthostatic stress. Here, we evaluated such head-down tilt (HDT). In this posture, the gradient along body is different than in upright position, leading to increased central blood volume reduced venous pooling. We compared signals obtained with without loading HDT healthy human subjects,...