L12 Motor Control/Learning

motor learning

a set of processes associated with practice or experience leading to relatively permanent changes in the capability for skilled movement”

• learn new movement strategies or significant alteration in existing ones

• occurs over extended periods, requiring more practice

• Ex. riding a bike

stimulus identification

better ability to direct attention and identify relevant stimuli

response selection

more automatic response → better able to overcome stimulus-response incompatibility and interference

response programming

action to improve performance through more effective interactions among nervous system, passive dynamics, musculoskeletal, and other physiological systems

dynamic, observable, neural and behavioral, practice

Learning is a set of processes; it is:

• _____ process is learning over time through feedback, adaptation, and repeated practice

• not directly ____: we infer learning from improvements in performance, consistency, and accuracy

• _____ __ ______ changes: learning reflects changes in the CNS and in movement execution

• ________-dependent: skill acquisition requires purposeful, task specific problem solving

low accuracy low precision

performance attempts are scattered and far from target

• indicates lack of both ability to achieve the goal and consistency in movement pattern

• in early learning stages many individuals exhibit this pattern

low accuracy high precision

performance attempts consistently land in the same area, far from targets

• indicates a consistent but incorrect movement pattern

• this is better than high accuracy low precision because learners can improve accuracy by correcting it through feedback and error detection

high accuracy low precision

some performance attempts hit the target, but overall lack of consistency

• might occur when a learner occasionally gets it right through trial and error but has not yet developed a reliable movement strategy

• this can be a transitional stage in learning

high accuracy high precision

performance attempts are consistently close to or hitting the target

• represents a well learned and reliable motor skill

• this is the ultimate goal of motor learning

internal, capability

the processes involved in learning generates a product/1. _____ state

• the goal of practice increases 2. ______ for moving skillfully

• if 2. ______ is strong, skilled behavior may occur

learning, performance

• 1. ______ refers to a lasting change in capability → an internal process that reflects improved potential (what is gained)

• 2. ______ is the observable execution of a skill at a specific time, under specific conditions → the expression of that capability (what is seen)

external factors

_______ ______ (like fatigue, pressure, environment) can affect performance without impacting learning

behavior

we cannot observe the interal process that drive motor learning

• but we do observe _______: improvements (or lack thereof) of performance in smoother movements, accuracy, or timing

retention

Factors influencing ____ include:

• type of skill: complex skills might be retained longer than simple ones

• amount/type of practice: overlearning and varied practice tend to lead to better retention

• age at acquisition: skills learned earlier in life are often retaine better

• disuse: lack of practice can lead to forgetting or skill decay

relatively permanent change

Analogy of Ice vs. Steak:

• ice: you are coling water (motor learning) and overtime it becomes ice (improved skill), this chnage can be reversed with heat (disuse)

• Steak: grilling a streak (motor learning) creates a permanent change (improved skill) than cannot be reversed (connot uncook)

motor adaptation

effortless flexibility to perform smooth, accurate movements with minimal effort, even under changing or unexpected circumstances

• trial to trial modification of a single movement based on error feedback

• the brain quickly refines action, but core motor program strategy for action remains the same

• Ex. walking on uneven surfaces or using prism goggles

parameters, minutes, prior

the following criteria must be met for motor adaptation:

1. movement retains its identity but changes in terms of one or more _______

2. the change occurs with repetition/practice of behavior and is gradual over _____/hours

3. once adapted, the performer does not exhibit the ___ behavior

transient, transformed, rehabilitation

• adaptation is 1. ______ (not lasting) in nature, when learning is permanent

• adaptation can be 2. _______ into learning

• adaptation is important for 3. _______

improvement, consistency, stability, persistence, adaptability

5 characteristics of motor learning

law of practice, improvement

characteristic 1

Power 1. ____ __ ______

• early practice is characterized by LARGE gains in 2. _______

• late practice is characterized by SMALL gains in 2. ______

consistency

characteristic 2: ________

• with learning, a person’s performance should exhibit less variables

• performance during early stages are less ____ and more variable than late learning

• Ex. gymnast working on a complex dismount might initially experiency variable landings, but with dedicated practice, they refine their technique to build up _____ and have reliable successful landings

stability

characteristic 3: ________

• with learning the ______ of perfromance is increased

• the extent to which internal/external pertubations affect perfromance of a motor skill

• Ex. a basketball player initially finds it challenging to maintain dribbling while running at full speed, but through persistent practice they develop abilility to dribble consistently under pressure and while avoiding defenders

internal, external

1. ______ pertubations: stress, anxiety, fear

2. _______ pertubations: obstacles, weather conditions

persistence

charcateristic 4: _________ (lasting ability)

• improvements in performance should last over increasing peridos of time (relatively permanent)

• child learning to ride a bike in youth and then when older can still remember how to ride

adaptability

characteristic 5: ______

• with learning, an individual should be able to alter their performance to variations in the requirements for a motor skill

• changes in motor skill can be related to the individual, task, or environment

• Ex. shooting from various locations on court / tennis player altering mastered forehand stroke to execute different shot types