The Perception & Action Podcast 93 – The Legacy of Nikolai Bernstein I: Problems in Movement Coordination
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Jan 23, 2018 Explore the fascinating world of motor control through the lens of Nikolai Bernstein's theories. Learn about the challenges posed by context-conditioned variability and how it impacts movement. Dive into the intricacies of the degrees-of-freedom problem and discover how effective coaching can harness both compensation and non-muscular forces for skill development. This discussion unveils Bernstein's enduring legacy and offers insights for those interested in mastering movement and coaching.
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Real-World Roots Of Bernstein's Work
- Bernstein worked on applied problems like designing pedestrian bridges and improving metalworker productivity.
- These real-world tasks shaped his critiques of laboratory-bound motor theories.
Movement Depends On Context
- Bernstein rejected the 'cortical keyboard' idea that fixed motor commands always produce the same movement.
- He showed movement variability is conditioned by internal and external context, so identical commands can yield different outcomes.
Repetition Without Repetition
- Anatomical, mechanical, and physiological contexts change how the same muscle activity produces different effects.
- Bernstein summed this as 'repetition without repetition': you repeat outcomes but never identical movement patterns.