Part I: Behavioral Analysis of Variability in the Movement System
Chapter 1. Variability in Motor Output As Noise: A Default and Erroneous Proposition?
Karl M. Newell, PhD, Katherine M. Deutsch, PhD, Jacob J. Sosnoff, PhD, and Gottfried Mayer-Kress, PhD
-Noise and Movement Variability in Information Theory
-Noise in Physiological Models of Motor Control
-Categories of Noise
-Variability and Noise in Motor Output
-Multiple Time Scales of Variability
-Concluding Comments
Chapter 2. Variability in Postural Coordination Dynamics
Olivier Oullier, PhD, Ludovic Marin, PhD, Reinoud J. Bootsma, PhD, Thomas A. Stoffregen, PhD, and Benoï¿œt G. Bardy, PhD
-Ambiguity of the Neurophysiological Approach to Postural Coordination
-Kinematic Analysis of Dynamic Patterns in Postural Coordination
-Postural Coordination Emerges from the Interplay of Different Constraints
-Intention (to Sway) Modulates the Stability of Postural Coordination
-Dynamics of Postural Transitions
-Nature of the Transitions Between Postural Coordination Patterns
-Variability in Self-Organization of Postural Coordination
-Unique Aspects of Postural Coordination
-Conclusion
-Acknowledgements
-Footnotes
Chapter 3. The Interface of Biomechanics and Motor Control: Dynamic Systems Theory and the Functional Role of Movement Variability
Paul S. Glazier, Jonathan S. Wheat, PhD, David L. Pease, and Roger M. Bartlett, PhD
-Movement Variability: Traditional and Contemporary Approaches
-Biomechanics and Motor Control
-Sports Biomechanics: A Critical Overview
-Dynamic Systems Theory Applied to Sport Biomechanics
-Concluding Remarks
Part II: Variability, Performance and Excellence
Chapter 4. Serving Up Variability and Stability
Craig Handford, PhD
-Deliberate Practice Is Not Always About Movement Consistency
-Solutions to Movement Problems Can Be Generic and Yet Individual
-Variability Can Provide a Basis for Practice in Parts
-Conclusion
Chapter 5. Variability in Motor Output and Olympic Performers
Les G. Carlton, PhD, John W. Chow, PhD, and Jaeho Shim, PhD
-Variability in the Motor Domain
-Speed and Accuracy in Projectile Tasks
-Models of Throwing Accuracy
-Throwing Accurately to Horizontal Targets
-Throwing Accurately to Vertical Targets
-Speed-Variability Trade-Offs in Sport Tasks
-Speed and Variability in Throwing Tasks
-Speed and Variability in Striking
-Summary
-Olympic Project
-Data Collection
-Location of Ball Landing
-Ball and Racket Speeds
-The Olympic Project and Speed-Accuracy Trade-Offs
Chapter 6. Genetic and Environmental Constraints on Variability in Sport Performance
Joe Baker, PhD and Keith Davids, PhD
-Nurture Perspective of Expertise Development: Deliberate Practice
-Challenges of Deliberate Practice
-Genetic Constraints on Physical Performance
-Genetic Contribution to Motor Skill Performance
-Genetic Contribution to Variability in Physical Performance
-Concluding Remarks: A Case for Dynamic Systems Theory
Part III: Issues in Measurement
Chapter 7. Coordination Profiling of Movement Systems
Chris Button, PhD, Keith Davids, PhD, and Wolfgang Schï¿œllhorn, PhD
-Theoretical Evolution of Variability in Movement
-Data Collection and Statistical Analysis
-Coordination Profiling
-Cluster Analyses and Time-Continuous Variables of Intra- and Interindividual Athletic Performance
-General Discussion and Implications
Chapter 8. Clinical Relevance of Variability in Coordination
Joseph Hamill, PhD, Jeffrey M. Haddad, MS, Bryan C. Heiderscheit, PhD, Richard E.A. Van Emmerik, PhD, and Li Li, PhD
-Variability in Traditional and Dynamical Systems View
-Dynamic Systems Concept of Variability in Movement
-Clinical Relevance of Variability
-Conclusions
Chapter 9. Measuring Coordination and Variability in Coordination
Jonathan S. Wheat, PhD and Paul S. Glazier, PhD
-Measuring Coordination and Variability in Coordination
-Summary
Part IV: Variability Across the Lifespan
Chapter 10. Functional Variability in Perceptual Motor Development
Geert J.P. Savelsbergh,PhD, John van der Kamp, PhD, and Karl S. Rosengren, PhD
-Functional Coupling of Perception and Movement: Constraints
-Variability in Early Infant Reaching
-Functional Variability and Exploration
-Variability and Selection in the Coupling of Information and Movement
-Conclusions
Chapter 11. Aging and Variability in Motor Output
Evangelos A. Christou, PhD and Brian L. Tracy, PhD
-Older Adults Do Not Always Exhibit Greater Variability in Motor Output Within a Trial
-Older Adults Exhibit Greater Variability in Motor Output From Trial to Trial
-Physical Training Attenuates the Variability of Motor Output in Older Adults
-Changes in the Nervous System Alter Variability in Motor Output
-Summary
Part V: Variability Within Subsystems
Chapter 12. Mechanical Properties of Muscles Reduce Performance Variability
Alberto Minetti, MD
-Arm Wrestling
-Variability in Drop Landing
-Conclusions
Chapter 13. Cellular and Molecular Basis of Heterogeneity in Contractile Performance Variability
Carlo Reggiani, PhD and Susan Bortolotto, PhD
-Functional and Molecular Heterogeneity of Muscle Fibers
-Functional Characterization of Human Muscle Fiber Types: Contractile Properties
-Heterogeneity of Electrophysiological Properties and Excitation-Contraction Coupling in Human Muscle Fibers
-Metabolic Heterogeneity of Human Muscle Fibers
-Plasticity of Human Skeletal Muscles
-Optimization of Muscle Performance by Selective Recruitment
-Conclusions
Chapter 14. Self-Organizing Brain Dynamics and Movement Goals
Walter Freeman, MD
-Limbic Contributions to Intentional Action
-Neurodynamics of Chaos in Perception
-Conjoining of Time and Space Through Action
-Linear Causality Versus Circular Causality
-Timing in the Awareness of Action
-Conclusion
Chapter 15. Variability of Brain Activity During Rhythmic Unimanual Finger Movements
T.D. Frank,PhD, C.E. Peper, PhD, A. Daffertshofer, PhD, and P.J. Beek, PhD
-Theoretical Framework
-Coordinated Rhythmic Movements
-Experiments and Experimental Results
-Dominance of Descending Neural Activity
-Phase Synchronization and Mean-Field Forces
-Connectivity Maps
-Mean-Field Haken-Kelso-Bunz Model
-Implications for the Dynamic Systems Approach
-Outlook