Overview of Uncontrolled Manifold Analysis

Uncontrolled manifold analysis (UCM) is a mathematical model that helps understand the variability in human movement systems, particularly in tasks like throwing. The analysis is based on the principle that individuals typically possess more degrees of freedom in their movements than necessary to achieve a specific goal. This redundancy allows for flexibility, enabling people to adapt their actions to various constraints, such as fatigue or environmental obstacles. UCM examines the variability in performance and identifies which aspects of that variability do not hinder the achievement of the target, thus highlighting the functional aspects of movement variability.