Advances in the neural control of movements (2025)
Doctoral School in Medicine, Biomedical Science and Technology at Aalborg University
Welcome to Advances in the neural control of movements (2025)
Program: BEN (also relevant for B, HES)
Description:
Controlling human movement involves intrinsic neurophysiological features that modulate motor actions. Motor actions occur predominantly against some type of mechanical resistance and/or environmental interaction. It has become evident that a true understanding of human movement requires one to gather knowledge in human neurophysiology and neuromechanics.
Therefore, this course has two aims: 1) to provide a basic background on movement neurophysiology and neuromechanics, integrating the two areas to offer a global understanding on movement control, and 2) to provide students with the latest trends in research on neural control of movements, both in mechanical and physiological terms. In this course, we will offer the possibility to integrate the understanding of movement execution with its neural foundation, to determine the timing and weighting of commands in the central and peripheral nervous system, and how mechanical constraints affect movement control.
Topics covered in the course will include basic physiological and mechanical factors of movement control; novel methods in neurophysiology and neuromechanics research; control of human locomotion and cyclical movements; control of upper limb movements (reaching and grasping), and perspectives in neurorehabilitation. Students will have the opportunity to reflect on these research trends and discuss the potential use of neurophysiological measurements in their own PhD studies by performing presentations during the course.
Prerequisites:
A basic background within anatomy and physiology is desirable. Knowledge in movement biomechanics is desirable, but not necessary.
Form of evaluation:
Students will be asked to make a presentation integrating the content from lectures to solving aspects of their PhD projects. The three lecturers will be present during the presentations, maximizing the possibility of providing useful feedback to the students.
Key literature:
Selected papers and book chapters will be provided to the participants shortly before the course.
Organizer:
Associate Professor Anderson Oliveira, email: oliveira@mp.aau.dk
Professor Strahinja Dosen, e-mail: sdosen@hst.aau.dk
Lecturers:
Associate Professor Anderson Oliveira
Professor Strahinja Dosen
ECTS: 2.0
Time: 29, 30 October and 21 November 2025 (29 and 30 October: 08.15-16.15; 21 November: 12.30-16.15)
Place: Aalborg University
Zip code: 9220
City: Aalborg
Maximal number of participants: 25
Deadline: 8 October 2025