Module 6C Notes

The constraints led approach is a framework for motor learning that emphasizes the role of constraints in environmental and task factors influencing individual learning and performance of motor skills.
It includes the nature of the task, the physical environment, and individual abilities and characteristics as constraints affecting motor learning and movement emergence.

Heavily influenced by dynamic systems theory discussed in the motor control section.
Manipulating constraints can enhance motor learning, performance, and physical capacities through recognized changes.
This approach is widely applied in contemporary sports coaching and strength conditioning.

Definition: Affordances are the opportunities for action given the physical and environmental properties of individuals and their surroundings. They indicate potential uses and functions perceived by the individual.
Introduced by psychologist JJ Gibson, a crucial aspect of his theory of perceptual learning and development.
Affordances provide direct sensory information on how objects or environments support or constrain specific actions, thus shaping motor skill performance.
Understanding affordances aids individuals in adapting movements effectively.
Example: In a sporting context, two athletes may react differently to the same scenario based on their physical attributes and past experiences, impacting their decision to attempt actions such as scoring a goal through a gap.

Framework Description: Describes the interdependent relationship between perception and action in motor control and learning.
Key Aspects:
- Perception guides and informs actions, while actions influence ongoing perceptual feedback.
- Perception is an active process that involves real-time sensory information processing to guide movements.
Goals of perception include understanding environmental properties and object characteristics to make informed action decisions.
This framework emphasizes the interconnected nature of perception and action in motor learning, where changes in one can lead to shifts in the other, complicating training approaches.

Newell's model illustrates how interacting constraints—task, environment, and organism constraints—shape and dictate movement.
This model provides insights into how coaches can manipulate these constraints to enhance athlete movements for short-term and long-term improvements.

Individual constraints can include range of motion, body composition, functional abilities like strength and power.
Improving strength and functional capabilities can enable athletes to explore more movement solutions, enhancing adaptability and success in various scenarios.
Examples of individual factors impacting performance include:
- Lack of strength limits movement solution possibilities.
- Improving joint strength aids adaptability in movements.

Limited options for changing environmental constraints within coaching settings but significant implications for decision-making in training setups.
Factors to consider include surface types, friction coefficients, and how they affect an athlete's center of mass and movement adaptations during activities like sprinting or changing direction.

Recognizing the impact of psychological, emotional, and social factors is essential in strength and conditioning.
The interaction of life experiences, cultural norms, beliefs, and expectations influence athlete movement, perception, and performance.
Reference to Bandura's theory of social learning highlights how social contexts and parental support shape self-efficacy, self-worth, and the ability to cope with failure in motor learning tasks.

Study measuring knee and hip extension strength demonstrated differing strategies in picking up a box based on strength levels.
Stronger participants utilized leg-dominant strategies, while weaker individuals leaned toward back-dominant strategies, limiting their movement efficiency.

Research indicates higher strength participants tolerate increased task demands before experiencing negative joint work, particularly around the knee.
This suggests the importance of strength for athletes to manage the physical demands of various activities without risking injury.

Increased task demands were shown to correlate with decreased movement variability in a jumping task.
A need for athletes to maintain adaptability to handle diverse movement requirements is emphasized to mitigate injury risks.

Example of using flat markers and cones for sprint training showcases how such constraints affect kinematic strategies and strength gains, leading to improved performance.
In sidestepping exercises with varying implements, different constraints revealed diverse kinetic strategies, emphasizing the importance of tailoring training to individual athletes.

Invitation to reflect on the nature of movements, questioning what constitutes "wrong" or "right" within specific technical models in context with motor control theories.
Display of two athletes performing the same task distinctly emphasizes individuality in movement while achieving equivalent outcomes, provoking discussion on coaching standards and movement adaptability in sports.

Understand the intricacies of motor control theories and differentiate motor learning approaches in related contexts.
Recognize how various entities shape movement and how to implement this understanding for both acute and chronic improvement in athlete's performance.