Study Unit 1: part 1 (HMSC112) Introduction to Motor Development

Introduction to Motor Development

Key Concepts in Movement

• Man-in-the-World Existence: Refers to the complete view of a person's existence in relation to their movement capabilities, taking into account all

  factors that influence movement:

  • physical

  • emotional

  • social

  • cognitive

    — This concept emphasizes that movement is an integral part of daily life and personal identity.

• Movement Specialist: An individual who focuses on optimizing motor skills and physical activity by:

  • assessing individual needs

  • creating tailored programs

  • facilitating improved physical performance across various populations.

    — Movement specialists are often involved in rehabilitative processes and educational settings.

• Regular Physical Activity:

  • Essential for maintaining health and well-being.

  • Regular engagement in physical activity is linked to lower risks of chronic diseases, improved mental health, and enhanced quality of life.

  • It boosts cardiovascular fitness, muscle strength and flexibility, contributing to overall functionality.

• Insufficient Physical Activity:

  • It is often linked to sedentary, or inactive, lifestyles.

  • It is a significant risk factor for obesity, heart disease, diabetes, and other health issues.

  • Health organizations worldwide are actively promoting physical activity to reduce the critical issue of insufficient activity, which contributes to global health concerns

• Worldwide Concern: Recognition of the importance of promoting physical activity to combat inactive lifestyles has led to various initiatives, including public health campaigns and educational programs aimed at various demographics to foster a culture of active living.

• Our Role: Understanding and facilitating better movement practices. Physical activity involves collaboration among educators, health professionals, and community organizations to create positive and supportive environments for physical activity across lifespan.

• Movement Development:

  • The progression of movement capabilities as individuals grow and develop.

  • This is influenced by biological factors, practice, and environmental supports.

  • This development occurs in stages, throughout stages in their lives.

• Readiness Skills:

  • Skills necessary for optimal movement development at different stages, such as balance, coordination, and strength.

  • These skills are foundational for more complex movements and must be assessed to ensure age-appropriate expectations in physical activities.

• Movement Skills: Skills that allow for effective interaction with the environment; these include gross motor skills like running and jumping, as well as fine motor skills such as grasping and manipulating objects.

Language Skills in Motor Development

• Self-Image: How one's perception of themselves affects movement and development. Positive= improvement in motor skills, Negative= no improvement/decrease in motor skills

• Theories of Motor Development: The frameworks that explain how movement abilities evolve over time, taking into account cognitive, physical, and social aspects of development. These theories inform pedagogy (teachers) and practice in physical education and rehabilitation.

• Dynamic Systems Framework and Theory: A perspective that considers the complex interactions between various systems that influence movement, including physical, emotional, and social systems, and how these interdependencies affect motor learning processes.

• Sodden – Constraint Model: A model suggesting that development is influenced by constraints in the environment and individual capabilities. This includes task constraints (like the nature of the activity), organismic constraints (individual physical and psychological characteristics), and environmental constraints (such as space and resources).

• Ecological Systems Theory: A framework emphasizing the role of environmental context in development. It outlines that movement development is influenced by the surrounding environment, including family, community, and societal factors.

• Physical Literacy: The ability to move with competence and confidence in a variety of physical activities, which is crucial for lifelong participation in healthy physical behaviours. It encompasses more than just motor skills; it also includes cognitive and emotional skills related to movement.

• What is Physical Literacy: A deeper understanding of how individuals engage in movement successfully, integrating knowledge, skills, and ethical considerations around physical activity.

• The ABC’s of Physical Literacy: Fundamental components of physical literacy including agility, balance, coordination, which are the building blocks for more complex physical skills and sports performance.

Man-in-the-World Existence

• Early Childhood Development: Focus on

  • critical developmental phases and their impact on physical abilities.

  • The importance of play in developing movement skills and promoting social interactions.

• General Development & Gross Motor Development:

  • The study of overall growth, emphasizing larger movements and coordination.

  • This development lays the groundwork for more specialized skills later.

• Motor Control and Coordination:

  • Understanding how the brain and body work together to produce movement.

  • This involves complex neurological processes that develop through practice and experience.

• Brain Growth: The importance of neurological development in relation to motor skills, where critical periods of brain growth coincide with stages of motor learning, emphasizing the need for appropriate interventions during these times.

Role of the Movement Specialist

• Assisting Individuals: Movement specialists play a crucial role in guiding both children and adults in developing motor skills through assessments, personalized coaching, and creating inclusive activity environments that cater to individual needs.

• Psychomotor Knowledge: Knowledge aimed at enhancing physical movement capabilities and overall existence, integrating cognitive understanding of movement with practical skills to promote effective outcomes in physical activity and health.