Chapter 4 Textbook notes – Sensory Information and Skilled Performance

Sensory Information

Crucial for detecting, perceiving, and using information that impacts skilled performance.

Exteroception

Sensory information originating from the external environment.

Proprioception

Sensory information originating from within the body, providing awareness of body position and movement.

Haptic Perception

The sense of touch, important for feedback in activities like surgery.

Pattern Recognition

The ability to identify structures and patterns quickly, providing a competitive advantage in sports.

Error Detection

The process of identifying errors in movements to allow for corrections.

Vestibular Apparatus

Receptors in the inner ear that detect head movement and orientation, playing a key role in balance.

Muscle Spindles

Receptors that detect changes in muscle length and help sense joint positions.

Golgi Tendon Organs

Receptors that monitor muscle force levels, located between muscle and tendon.

Cutaneous Receptors

Skin receptors that detect pressure, temperature, and touch.

Closed-Loop Control Systems

Feedback systems used in movement to compare desired states with actual states in order to correct actions.

Executive System

The part of a closed-loop control system responsible for decision-making regarding errors.

Effector System

The component of the control system that carries out the executive's decisions, such as moving a limb.

Reference of Correctness

A standard against which feedback is compared in a control system.

Error Signal

The feedback indicating the discrepancy between actual feedback and the reference standard.

Visual Feedback

The information received through sight that assists in correcting movements.

Feedforward

Anticipated sensory consequences of a movement.

Proprioceptive Feedback

Sensory information regarding muscle tension and changes in joint angles.

Exteroceptive Feedback

Sensory information from external sources, such as visual, auditory, and tactile inputs.

M1 Reflex Loop

Monosynaptic reflex that occurs in the spinal cord, resulting in a quick, involuntary response.

M2 Reflex Loop

Multisynaptic reflex involving additional processing in the central nervous system, resulting in a stronger response.

Ventral Stream

The visual pathway responsible for object identification; processes 'what' is being seen.

Dorsal Stream

The visual pathway responsible for movement control; processes 'where' something is in space.

Optical Flow

The continuous change in the visual scene due to movement, providing information about speed and direction.

Postural Control

Maintaining and adjusting body posture based on feedback available from the environment.

Quiet-Eye Effect

A technique where athletes extend gaze fixation for better performance.

Blindsight

Condition where individuals respond to visual stimuli without conscious awareness of seeing.

Reflexive Mechanisms

Automatic corrections and adjustments occurring subconsciously in response to sensory feedback.

Delayed Auditory Feedback

Hearing a delayed sound that disrupts movement coordination.

Visual Dominance

The tendency for visual information to dominate other sensory inputs during perception.

Muscle Spindle Function

Detects changes in muscle length, contributing to proprioceptive feedback.

Cutaneous Receptor Function

Detects pressure, temperature, and touch, essential for the sense of haptic perception.

Error Handling in Fast Movements

In rapid movements, feedback may not influence actions in real time due to processing delays.

Reflex Latency

The time delay from stimulus to response in reflex actions, typically measured in milliseconds.

Segregation of Visual Streams

The understanding that two pathways exist in visual processing: one for identifying objects, and one for guiding movement.

Cognitive Processing and Movement Planning

The mental strategy used to select grips and execute movements based on object identification.

Gaze Control

The ability to consciously direct visual focus during movement.

Vision in Low Light

Challenges faced in object identification and movement control under dim lighting conditions.

Integration of Sensory Systems

Combining different types of sensory feedback into a coherent action plan.

Role of Audition in Motor Control

The influence of sound on performance, such as timing in musical contexts.

Blindfolded Training

A technique used to develop reliance on non-visual feedback for improved sensory integration.

Joint Receptors Function

Detects extreme positions of joints, contributing to proprioception.

Importance of Anticipation in Coordination

The ability to forecast and adjust for incoming stimuli based on prior sensory information.

Complex Movements and Feedback

In complex actions, multiple sensory sources provide feedback for adjustments.

Slow vs Fast Movement Control

Different feedback requirements and processing times are needed for slow and fast movements.

Environmental Awareness

The ability to perceive and react to surrounding stimuli, critical in many sports.

Postural Adjustments Timing

The latency period for visual feedback to influence corrections in posture.

Practice Effects on Sensory Integration

The improvements in sensory perception and integration with experience and training.

Auditory Feedback in Sports

Using sound to gauge timing and positioning in activities like baseball.

External vs Internal Processes

Differences between environmental stimuli and body awareness in sensory processing.

Seeing is Not Enough

Understanding that visual information alone may not suffice for accurate motor control.

Taking Action in Motion

Making split-second decisions based on sensory integration and processing.

Visual Illusions and Perception

The impact of optical illusions on how visual information can mislead our understanding of reality.

Movement Tracking Error

Ability to follow a moving target while compensating for anticipated changes.

Effectiveness of Visual Cues

The role of visual information in successfully navigating and responding to environments.

Distinguishing between Action Goals

Identifying the intended action based on sensory input properties.

Reflex Mechanisms in Postural Control

Involuntary responses that maintain balance and posture when disturbances occur.

Characterizing Movement Patterns

Using sensory information to identify and categorize movement processes.

Visual Stream Integration in Action

Combining input from both visual paths for effective movement execution.

Sensory Feedback and Learning

Utilizing sensory input to refine skills and improve motor responses.

Optimizing Feedback Loops in Movement

Understanding how feedback systems enhance performance through continuous adjustments.

Adaptive Mechanisms in Movement Control

The body's ability to adjust and correct movements based on real-time feedback.

Motor Program Execution

The pre-planned sequence of actions used to initiate coordinated movements.

Skill and Accuracy in Movements

The relationship between sensory processing and successful execution of motor skills.

Feedback Duration for Corrections

The importance of timing in receiving feedback for immediate movement adjustments.

Cognitive Load and Performance

The impact of mental effort on the efficiency of movement control.

Visual Systems in Athletic Training

How understanding visual processing can enhance athletic performance.

Segmentation of Movements

Breaking down actions into segments to analyze sensory input better.

Temporal Sensitivity in Sensory Information

The speed at which sensory feedback must be processed to influence actions.

Strategies for Motor Learning

Techniques employed to enhance learning through sensory feedback.

Sport-Specific Sensory Integration

How different sports utilize unique sensory information for performance gains.

Real-World Applications of Sensory Control

Practical usages of sensory feedback systems in various activities.