PE Studies - Motor Learning and Coaching

What is motor learning?

Motor learning is the process of acquiring and refining skills through practice and experience.

What are gross motor skills?

•Involve movement of major muscle groups resulting in large body part movement

•Includes fundamental movement patterns, e.g. walking, running, balance, coordination, jumping

What are fine motor skills?

•Involve movement of smaller muscle groups resulting in more precise movement

•Includes activities such as writing, typing on a keyboard, playing the guitar

•Often involves coordination between the hands and eyes.

What are discrete motor skills?

Skills with a clear beginning and end (e.g., throwing a ball).

What are serial motor skills?

A series of discrete skills linked together (e.g., a gymnastics routine).

What are continuous motor skills?

Skills with no clear beginning or end (e.g., swimming, cycling).

What are closed motor skills?

Performed in a predictable environment (e.g., diving in a pool).

What are open motor skills?

Performed in a changing, unpredictable environment (e.g. kayaking).

What are simple motor skills?

Require minimal decision-making (e.g., sprint start).

What are complex motor skills?

Require decision-making and coordination (e.g., basketball lay-up).

What is the purpose of feedback in motor learning?

To guide improvement, reinforce learning, and motivate the learner.

How does feedback help with motivation?

Positive feedback can boost confidence and encourage continued effort.

How does feedback help with reinforcement?

Reinforces correct technique and discourages incorrect movement patterns.

What is intrinsic feedback?

Feedback received from the senses during performance (e.g., how a movement feels).

What is extrinsic feedback?

Feedback from external sources like coaches or videos.

What is concurrent feedback?

Given during the performance of a skill.

What is terminal feedback?

Given after the skill has been completed.

What is non-verbal feedback?

Feedback through gestures, facial expressions, or body language.

What is verbal feedback?

Spoken information provided to the learner.

What are the characteristics of effective feedback?

Specific, timely, constructive, clear, and relevant to performance.

What is the cognitive phase of learning?

The initial phase in learning a motor skill is where the emphasis is on a conscious understanding of the task requirements.

What is the associative phase of learning?

The second phase is learning a new skill in which movement patterns become more refined and consistent through practice.

What is the autonomous phase of learning?

The final phase is learning a new skill in which the control of movement appears to be almost automatic and free of the need for constant attention.

What happens during identification of stimuli/input?

The athlete gathers information from the environment (e.g., visual or sound cues).

What is response identification/decision making?

The athlete decides what action to take based on the input.

What is response/output?

The chosen movement is performed.

What is feedback in the information processing cycle?

The athlete receives information about the success of the action to improve future performance.

What are the three types of cues?

1. Visual

2. Verbal

3. Proprioceptive

What are visual cues?

Information seen to guide performance (e.g., demonstration, video).

What are verbal cues?

Spoken instructions or cues (e.g., “follow through”).

What are proprioceptive cues?

Internal feedback from muscles and joints (e.g., feeling balance or tension).

Three skill categories

1. Cognitive

2. Perceptual

3. Motor skills

General feedback

• “Good work, well done.”

• Contains no information that the performer can use to improve / change future performances

Specific feedback

• Contains information

• “You played well today – your catching in the outfield was excellent because you moved into the correct position under the ball much quicker than last week”

Constructive feedback

• “An improved defensive effort today, but you must work to make yourself an option in attack”

Destructive feedback

• “Did you catch a train to the ground? You are a passenger today – just terrible!”

Changeable feedback

• “Move your feet into position sooner”

Unchangeable feedback

• “You’re too short to play in first team