CONSTRAINT VERSUS CHOICE IN PREFERRED MOVEMENT PATTERNS

Movement patterns in impaired gait are not selected by a smart central nervous system (CNS), but arise by virtue of mutual constraints of ta sk, limitations in personal dynamics available for the task, and optim ality criteria. An oscillatory model of gait cycle is presented that e xemplifies this control and coordination scheme. Preferred gait patter ns may be based on physical principles rather than CNS ''coordinative rules.''