Introduction

Abstract

Each of the following chapters is concerned with the study of afferent input and its importance for motor control in man. In the first, Prof Vallbo describes how afferent input can be recorded directly in human subjects at the level of activity of single identified afferent units. Dr Matthews describes experiments designed to compare the reflex effects of Group I and Group II muscle spindle endings. Dr Forssberg considers the importance of afferent input in modifying the step cycle in man and finally Prof Marsden and Dr Rothwell provide evidence to suggest that afferent input plays an important functional role at the level of the cerebral cortex as well as in the spinal cord in man.