Motor Learning and Control

Flashcards covering key definitions and interconnected systems in Motor Learning and Control.

Motor Learning and Control

Interconnected sub-disciplines that study movement produced via the human body, which operates as a 'Complex system'.

Complex System

The term used to describe the human body in motor learning and control, emphasizing its interconnected sub-disciplines and systems.

Behavior (in Motor Learning and Control)

The central outcome resulting from the interaction of neurophysiological/neuroanatomical systems, psychological processes, physiological systems, and biomechanical systems.

Interconnected Systems of Motor Behavior

The four sub-discipline areas that interact to produce behavior: Neurophysiological/Neuroanatomical Systems, Psychological Processes, Physiological Systems, and Biomechanical Systems.

Behavior

Aggregate response to internal and external stimuli resulting from manifestations of the mind in physical world. Ex. Movement, emotion, thought

Biomechanical/ anatomical

Mechanisms and structure of living organism Ex. Forces, size of a muscle or length of a bone.

Psychological

Processes affecting/ arising in the mind Ex. Motivation

Psychological Processes

Motivation, anxiety, arousal, perception, memory, emotions, decision-making, focus/concentration, mindfulness, perseverance, resilience, grit/toughness

Physiological

Functions and activities of living Organism. Ex. Blood flow, respiration, VO2 max

Neurophysiological/ neuroanatomical

Functions/activities and structure of the brain and nervous system ex. Neurons firing to excite or inhibit, brain blood flow

Motor learning

Neural and behavioral changes overtime

Experience dependent improvements and performance

Promoting versus inhibiting

Not just due to typical Development

Plasticity….aka Nero plasticity

Intrinsic factors

Internal variables that originate from within an individual to influence, how skill is performed Ex. Attention, motivation, experience

Extrinsic Factors

External variables from the environment that influence how skills performed ex. Practice, feedback, environment, weather

Motor control

Neural mechanism and networks that are responsible for the performance of any human movement behavior at any point in time

Both dynamic (kicking) and Static (balance/ posture

Sensorimotor

Factors influencing motor control

Movement control – environment, physiological system, biomechanical (anatomical) systems, nature of movement/ type of movement, psychological, neurophysiology

Neurons

Camilo Golgi and Santiago Ramon y Cajal (late 1800’s) • Golgi staining technique via microscopic evaluation using Cajals invented silver impregnating methods. • Cajal’s neuron doctrine

• 1906 co recipients of Nobel Prize in medicine and physiology

Neuronal Activity

Electrochemical “soups and sparks”

Sensorimotor Integration

Charles Sherrington (late 1800)

•Synapses (space between neurons)

• Final common Pathway (spinal cord)

•Reciprocal innervation (reflex’s)

• Reflexes

GTOs and muscle spindles for proprioception

Neurons

• Bernstein

Degrees of Freedom (how many planes are you able to move around a single point)

Synergies (wrist, elbow, shoulder, all one arm)

Bernstein voluntary movements vs Pavlov involuntary movements

Psychological Principles

Wundt (late 1800)

• sensation, perception, and attention

Reaction time to measure motor learning

Thorndike (early 1900’s

• Law of Effect: behaviors that are rewarded are repeated. Behaviors that are punished are not.

Sensation

Process of detecting physical environmental stimuli via sensory receptors

Perception

Psychological process of organizing and putting meaning to those signals