motor control and motor learning

What is the definition of motor learning?

The process of learning and refining motor skills over time.

What interaction is required for motor learning to occur?

A complex interaction between the child and the environment, where the child acts on the environment and receives feedback.

What is the 'just right challenge' in the context of motor learning?

A strategy used by practitioners to provide the optimal level of difficulty to maximize a child's learning opportunity.

What is neuroplasticity?

The brain's ability to change, lay down new circuitry, and create new neural connections in response to stimuli.

How does neuroplasticity result in permanent changes?

By creating new neural pathways for specific activities to occur.

Why is neuroplasticity critical for children?

It allows them to develop the neural pathways necessary to acquire new motor skills.

What happens to neural pathways when a child suffers a neurological impairment?

The child may need to create new neural pathways to bypass damaged ones.

How does the neuroplasticity of children compare to that of adults?

Children generally have a better ability to create new neural pathways than adults.

What are the four key components of the motor learning process?

Feedback, feed-forward, practice, and modeling.

What is motor control?

The ability to regulate or direct the mechanisms essential to movement, primarily managed by the central nervous system.

What role does the central nervous system play in movement?

It determines both the quality and quantity of movement.

Why is posture essential for motor skill development?

It provides the necessary stability and positioning for acquiring and developing motor skills.

What is the significance of mobility in motor control?

It allows a child to change positions to complete various motor tasks.

What is the Dynamic Systems Theory?

A theory explaining the interplay between the neuromuscular system, the environment, cognition, and the intended task.

According to Dynamic Systems Theory, what systems interact to produce movement?

The neuromuscular system, the environment, the sensory system, and cognition.

How does cognition relate to motor control as tasks become more complex?

Cognition becomes a larger, more significant component of the motor task.

What is an example of a motor skill requiring higher-level cognitive processing?

Manipulating a shape to fit through a specific corresponding hole.

What is the progression of a tripod grasp in motor learning?

Learning to form a basic tripod grasp, then building upon it to achieve a dynamic tripod grasp.

Is motor control solely a motor action?

No, it is a combination of motor action, environment, sensory input, and cognition.

What is the primary goal of using motor learning strategies in occupational therapy?

To help the child engage in meaningful occupations.

What is the role of feedback in motor learning?

It provides the child with information from the environment that helps them refine their motor actions.

How does motor development change over the lifespan?

It changes and matures as the child grows and develops.

What does the 'transfer of learning' refer to in motor development?

The process of applying learned motor patterns to new or different contexts.

What is the relationship between motor control and the peripheral nervous system?

Movement signals originate in the central nervous system and are transmitted down to the peripheral nervous system.

What is the priority when teaching a child a new skill?

Ensuring foundational skills are mastered before moving to more complex ones.

Why is it important to practice skills in real-life or simulated settings?

To facilitate the transfer of learning to the actual environment.

How should verbal cues be delivered during motor intervention?

They should be brief, to the point, and limited in number to avoid overwhelming the child.

What is the benefit of allowing time after giving a cue?

It allows the child to engage their sensory, motor, and cognitive systems.

What is a key consideration when demonstrating a task to a child?

Ensuring the child maintains attention and repeating the demonstration as needed throughout the task.

Why is it better to practice the whole skill rather than just parts?

It ensures no parts of the task are left out, making it easier for the child to transfer the learning.

What does Dynamic Systems Theory state regarding system changes?

A change in one system (e.g., motor) affects other systems (e.g., sensory).

What is required for a child to engage in most motor activities?

Cognitive intent to move.

What is the primary occupation of childhood that should be mimicked in interventions?

Play.

Why are home programs important for motor skill development?

They provide the necessary opportunities for repeated practice outside of therapy sessions.

How can therapists keep families engaged in the motor learning process?

By teaching them to facilitate practice for skills that have already been established.

What is 'feed forward' in the context of motor learning?

Feedback or information provided prior to an activity to help anticipate the required movement.

What is the difference between intrinsic and extrinsic feedback?

Intrinsic feedback comes from within the child during the action, while extrinsic feedback is provided by an external source.

What should a therapist consider regarding feedback?

The type of feedback, the timing of the feedback, and how it affects the motor outcome.

What is a potential risk of giving verbal praise as feedback too early?

It can negatively affect motor performance.

What is the role of the therapist in 'feed forward'?

Talking the child through the movement or demonstrating it to help them execute the action.

How does motor learning relate to neuroplasticity?

Engaging in motor activity with cognitive intent promotes changes in neuroplasticity.

What should a therapist do if a child has scattered skills?

Go back and work on the underlying foundational skills.

Why is lifting a weight different from putting a can on a shelf?

Putting a can on a shelf is a real-life activity that better facilitates the transfer of learning.

What systems must interact for a child to successfully engage in a motor task?

Sensory, motor, and cognitive systems.

What is the primary goal of intervention settings?

To occur in a setting similar to the child's natural environment.

What is the purpose of feedback provided after a performance?

To provide information about the performance to help the child learn the process.

Can extrinsic feedback be nonverbal?

Yes, it can be provided through verbal or nonverbal means.

Why is it important for interventions to be meaningful?

Meaningful activities increase the child's willingness to engage in the intervention.

What is the purpose of feed-forward adjustments in motor learning?

To anticipate the movement required and prepare the child for the task.

How can an OT assist a child in executing a motor movement before they perform it?

By talking the child through the movement, explaining what is happening, or providing a demonstration.

What is the recommended frequency for providing feedback during motor skill acquisition?

It is more beneficial to be sporadic rather than providing feedback on every single trial.

When is it necessary to provide feedback on every trial?

When specific program rules, such as those in an ABA program, require consistent feedback.

What are three ways to provide sensory input during motor skill learning?

Modeling, demonstration, and hand-over-hand physical kinesthetic input.

When should demonstrations be provided during the learning process?

Before practicing the skill and during the early stages of learning.

What is the primary goal of providing verbal instruction for motor tasks?

To emphasize critical cues and help the child cognitively process the motor plan.

Why is repetitive practice essential for motor learning?

It helps solidify new motor skills and supports brain development.

What is 'blocked practice'?

A practice method where similar movements are repeated with short rest breaks.

What is 'distributed practice'?

Repeating different skills spread over the course of an intervention with rest breaks.

What is 'variable or random practice'?

A method where different skills or movements are mixed up during practice.

What is the definition of transfer of learning?

The ability to apply past learning to new situations.

Why is mastery of foundational skills important for generalization?

It allows the child to adapt existing motor patterns to perform similar yet different tasks.

What does motor memory include?

The registration of the movement and the internal feedback from the motor output back into the sensory system.

How can an OT ensure better generalization of motor skills?

By using meaningful activities that mimic the natural occupation in a natural context.

What are 'degrees of freedom' in the context of motor control?

The amount of movement allowed at joints, which can be difficult for a child to control.

What is the relationship between proximal and distal control?

A child must have proximal stability before they can achieve distal control.

How can an OT promote distal control in fine motor tasks?

By limiting degrees of freedom, such as stabilizing the elbow and shoulder.

How is coordination defined in motor learning?

The activation of specific muscles together to perform a movement.

What is a recommended progression for addressing coordination?

Begin with gross motor movements and progress to more precise movements.

What tools can be used to promote timing in motor movements?

Music, rhythmic songs, or counting.

How is strength defined in a motor control context?

The ability to use a muscle group against gravity or against resistance.

What is muscle tone?

The amount of tension in a resting muscle.

How do abnormal muscle tone levels affect motor learning?

Increased or decreased tone interferes with motor function and the ability to learn new motor skills.