Nicolai Bernstein

Nicolai Bernstein was a pioneering Soviet neuroscientist and movement scientist who studied how humans control and coordinate their movements. He believed that the brain and nervous system work together to produce smooth, efficient motion by integrating multiple muscles and joints. Bernstein introduced the idea of "degrees of freedom" in movement, meaning the body has many possible ways to perform the same action, and the nervous system selects the most effective. His work helps us understand motor control, rehabilitation, and how athletes optimize performance by mastering complex movement patterns.