Motor Function

Abstract This chapter highlights neurophysiological recordings from the human motor system from skeletal muscles to the cerebral cortex, as well as interactions between these two systems. A brief history of the field introduces the movement-related readiness potentials and fields for upper- and lower-limb acts. Studies of the coherence between muscular and brain activity are especially illuminating and technically robust, as exemplified by cortex–muscle coherence, corticokinematic coherence, and corticovocal coherence. The discussion extends beyond simple motor acts, such as button presses and repetitive finger movements, examining more complex motor actions and the role of predictive coding and proprioceptive feedback in motor control. The reader is also reminded about the importance of motor equivalence and inhibition in selecting the best motor pattern in each situation.