The control of the kinematics and dynamics (i.e., force) of movements by the brain that involves the regulation of the positions and motions of the various parts of the body in relation to each other and to one or more external frames of reference in order to achieve a particular goal. More technically, it is the process by which values are assigned to the variables in a coordinative structure. Theories of motor control need to be able for four cardinal features of (human) action: flexibility (ability to different recruit muscles and joints in order to achieve the same action), uniqueness (no two movements are ever performed in exactly same way), consistency (spatial and temporal features of movement remain relatively stable or invariant from one performance to next), and modifiability (ability to alter an action, even while it is being executed).
See Action, Basal ganglia (functions), Cerebellum (functions), Closed-loop and open-loop control, Constraint, Coordination, Coordinative structure, Cortical inhibition hypothesis, Cybernetics, Degrees of freedom (or Bernstein’s) problem, Efference copy (or corollary discharge), Feedback, Hierarchical models of motor control, Inferior olive (or olivary) nucleus, Kinematics, Motor ability, Motor development, Motor noise, Movement, Movement coordination, Praxis, Prospective control (neurophysiology)