Chapter 1 Fundamental Concepts-Life span development AHSC

Chapter 1

Characteristics of Motor Development

Change in movement behavior- continuous, age related, Sequential

Depends on underlying processes

Motor learning

relatively permanent gains in motor skills capability associates with practice or expereince

Motor Control

the neural, physical, and behavioral aspects of movement

Physical growth

quantitative increase in size or body mass (Timiras, 1972)

Physical maturation

qualitative advance in biological makeup; cell, organ, or system advancement in biochemical composition (Teeple, 1978)

Aging

: process occurring with passage of time, leading to loss of adaptability or full function and eventually to death (Spirduso, Francis, & MacRae, 2005)

Constraints

•Discourage or limit certain movements.

•Encourage or permit other movements.

• “Shape” movement.

–Channel away from some movements while towards others

Induvial constraints-Unique physical, mental characteristics

Internal

Individual constraints-Structural: related to the body’s structure

Height and muscle mass

Individual Constraints-Functional: related to behavioral function

Attention,Motivation

Environmental Constraints-Properties of the environment

External

Environmental Constraints-Global, not specific, physical

Gravity, surfaces

Environmental Constraints- Sociocultural

Gender roles, Cultural norms

Task Constraints-Specific task requirements or goals

External, NOT related to individual

Task constraints-Related specifically to tasks or skills

Goal of task, rules guiding task performance, equipment

Interaction of Constraints

Must identify individual and environmental and task constraints

Must examine interactions among constraints

Constraints and Atypical Development

Disabilities:  differences in structural, functional individual constraints.

Must consider all interacting constraints

May result in delayed, different motor development.

 Research Designs in Motor Development-Longitudinal

An individual or group is observed over time.

Study can require lengthy observation.

 Research Designs in Motor Development-Cross-sectional

Individuals or groups of different ages are observed.

Change is inferred, not actually observed.

Sequential or mixed longitudinal

mini-longitudinal studies with overlapping ages

A Paradox in Development-Universality

Individuals in a species show great similarity in development.

A Paradox in Development-Variability

Individual Differences exist

Motor development examines

continuous, sequential, age-related change in motor behavior. Individual, environmental, and task constraints underlie this change. Researchers use longitudinal, cross sectional, and sequential research designs to investigate this change.