Dexterity and Its Development

Nicholai A Bernstein author Mark L Latash editor Michael T Turvey editor

Format:Hardback

Publisher:Taylor & Francis Inc

Published:1st Mar '96

Currently unavailable, and unfortunately no date known when it will be back

This hardback is available in another edition too:

Dexterity and Its Development cover

This is a very unusual book. It brings to the English speaking reader a masterpiece written some 50 years ago by one of the greatest minds of the 20th century--Nicholai Aleksandrovich Bernstein--considered the founder of many contemporary fields of science such as biomechanics, motor control, and physiology of activity. Divided into two parts, this volume's first section is a translation of the Russian book On Dexterity and Its Development. It presents, in a very reader-friendly style, Bernstein's major ideas related to the development and control of voluntary movements in general, and to the notion of dexterity, in particular. Although very few scientific works remain interesting to the reader 50 years after they were written, this volume--now available for the first time in English--is a rare exception to this rule. His ideas are certainly not obsolete. Actually, we are just starting to grasp the depth and breadth of his thinking, especially his analysis of the complex notion of dexterity. The second section provides both a historical and a contemporary perspective on Bernstein's ideas.

The original work was directed at a wide audience ranging from specialists in biomechanics and motor behavior, to coaches, neurologists, physical therapists, athletes, and even inquisitive college and high school students. The chapters contributed by contemporary scientists mirror Bernstein's style and present new findings in the areas of biomechanics, motor control, and motor development in a way that would be both understandable to non-specialists in these areas, and informative for professionals working in different areas related to human movement. All those interested in the origins and mechanisms of the production of voluntary movements, irrespective of their educational and professional background, will find this book valuable. In addition, the unique history and composition of this text will make it helpful and attractive to historians and philosophers of science.

"As Bernstein originally intended, the present volume possesses the necessary breadth and depth to appeal to movement scientists of many levels, backgrounds, and disciplines....Texts such as Bernstein's provide a welcome antidote to the growing tendency toward specialization and fragmentation that bothers present-day movement science."
Contemporary Psychology

"This excellent book, about how movement is developed and controlled, is easy to understand and is a very practical work for biomechanics, kinesiologists, therapists, physiologists, and especially motor behaviorists. [It] presents movement control and development in practical, realistic contexts and provides excellent examples with supporting figures....should be seriously considered by all interested in human movement control. Upper-division undergraduates through professionals."
CHOICE

ISBN: 9780805816464

Dimensions: unknown

Weight: 907g

470 pages