Muscle redundancy does not imply robustness to muscle dysfunction

作者：Kutch Jason J; Valero Cuevas Francisco J^*

来源：Journal of Biomechanics, 2011, 44(7): 1264-1270.

DOI：10.1016/j.jbiomech.2011.02.014

• Muscle redundancy
• Motor control
• Computational models
• Limb biomechanics

It is well-known that muscle redundancy grants the CNS numerous options to perform a task. Does muscle redundancy, however, allow sufficient robustness to compensate for loss or dysfunction of even a single muscle? Are all muscles equally redundant? We combined experimental and computational approaches to establish the limits of motor robustness for static force production. In computer-controlled cadaveric index fingers, we find that only a small subset (< 5%) of feasible forces is robust to loss of any one muscle. Importantly, the loss of certain muscles compromises force production significantly more than others. Further computational modeling of a multi-joint, multi-muscle leg demonstrates that this severe lack of robustness generalizes to whole limbs. These results provide a biomechanical basis to begin to explain why redundant motor systems can be vulnerable to even mild neuromuscular pathology.

• 出版日期2011-4-29