The case for and against muscle synergies

Matthew C. Tresch*, Anthony Jarc

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to journalReview articlepeer-review

437 Scopus citations

Abstract

A long standing goal in motor control is to determine the fundamental output controlled by the CNS: does the CNS control the activation of individual motor units, individual muscles, groups of muscles, kinematic or dynamic features of movement, or does it simply care about accomplishing a task? Of course, the output controlled by the CNS might not be exclusive but instead multiple outputs might be controlled in parallel or hierarchically. In this review we examine one particular hypothesized level of control: that the CNS produces movement through the flexible combination of groups of muscles, or muscle synergies. Several recent studies have examined this hypothesis, providing evidence both in support and in opposition to it. We discuss these results and the current state of the muscle synergy hypothesis.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)601-607
Number of pages7
JournalCurrent opinion in neurobiology
Volume19
Issue number6
DOIs
StatePublished - Dec 2009

Funding

Work was supported by National Institutes of Health Grant AR053608-01 (to MCT). AJ was supported by National Institute of Child Health and Human Development/National Institutes of Health Grant 5T32HD007418-17 .

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • General Neuroscience

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