Practical Application of Motor Learning

Motor relearning

rehabilitation to restore motor learning after injury

Dynamical Systems Theory

describes a range of complex and non-linear behaviors observed in biological and non-biological systems

Characteristics of Dynamical systems

complexity, non-linearity, stability, emergence, self-organization, sensitivity to initial conditions

Degrees of Freedom

nearly infinite combination of neuromuscular patterns we have to produce movement,

Movement variability

normal variations that occur in motor performance across multiple repetitions of a motor task, no action is performed the same way each time

Causes of movement variability

kinematics, kinetics, neuromuscular activation patterns

Indications of decreased movement variability

means highly stable and cooperative behavior, increased proficiency of motor learning

Attractor state

a stable state of the motor control system that leads to a preferred movement pattern

stability of an attractor state

depends on how long you are in that state, longer = more stable

Modulation of attractor states

constraint-based, limit the behavior of dynamical systems

Constraint categories

task, environment, individual

Individual constraints

characteristics of the organism/individual

Task constraints

goals, rules, and equipment associated with an activity

Environmental constraints

properties of the external world around the individual