title: A model of the neuro-musculo-skeletal system for human locomotion. I. Emergence of basic gait.
abstract: The generation of human locomotion was examined by linking computational neuroscience with biomechanics from the perspective of nonlinear dynamical theory. We constructed a model of human locomotion, which includes a musculo-skeletal system with 8 segments and 20 muscles, a neural rhythm generator composed of 7 pairs of neural oscillators, and mechanisms for processing and transporting sensory and motor signals. Using a computer simulation, we found that locomotion emerged as a stable limit cycle that was generated by the global entrainment between the musculo-skeletal system, the neural system, and the environment. Moreover, the walking movements of the model could be compared quantitatively with those of experimental studies in humans.
authors.affiliation: Department of Pure and Applied Sciences, University of Tokyo, Japan.
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Taga
mesh_terms: D001696:Biomechanical Phenomena; D003491:Cybernetics; D005684:Gait / Q000502:physiology*; D006801:Humans; D008124:Locomotion / Q000502:physiology*; D008954:Models, Biological; D009142:Musculoskeletal Physiological Phenomena; D009424:Nervous System Physiological Phenomena; D011597:Psychomotor Performance / Q000502:physiology