lecture 2 Motor Skills Classification Study Notes
Muscle-Based Skills
Muscle Group Classification: Distinction between fine and gross motor skills based on the size of muscle groups utilized.
Fine Motor Skills: Involves smaller muscle groups, requiring high precision. Examples:
Muscles of fingers or face.
Tasks include writing and manipulating surgical instruments.
Gross Motor Skills: Involves larger muscle groups, usually requiring less precision. Examples:
Movements like throwing, running, and those using upper arm movements.
Cutoff Point for Classification:
Generally assessed near the elbow; tasks primarily using finger muscles classified as fine, while proximal movements considered gross.
Facial expressions typically classified as fine motor skills.
Manipulating toes may also qualify as fine, but generally, lower body movements are gross.
Examples:
Writing: Classic fine motor skill.
Throwing: Despite using fingers, it’s primarily a shoulder and elbow movement, hence gross.
Task Complexity: Motor skills often engage multiple muscle groups, not confined to a single type.
Movement-Based Skills
Skill Duration Definition: Skills classified based on whether they have a defined duration or not.
Three Categories:
Discrete Skills: Clear start and stop points. Example: Hitting a baseball.
Serial Skills: A sequence of discrete movements, structured in order. Example: Potting a plant involves three distinct actions.
Continuous Skills: Cyclical movements that can be repeated indefinitely. Examples include walking, running, swimming, and cycling.
Continuous Skills Defined: Emphasizes repetition and cycling.
Discrete Skills Defined: Characterized by defined endpoints. Example: Pushing a chair or lifting an object.
Serial Skills Defined: Comprised of a series of actions, where each action is distinct yet chained.
Environment-Based Skills
Environment Stability Classification: Skills can occur in either a predictable (closed) or unpredictable (open) environment.
Closed Skills: Occur in stable, repeatable conditions. Examples:
Practicing in an empty gym or running on a treadmill (predictable).
Open Skills: Encounter variables in the environment. Most sporting activities fall under this category, offering unpredictability in player actions.
Ease of Skills: Closed environment skills are generally easier than those in open environments.
Classification Schemes for Motor Skills
Muscle-Based, Movement-Based, and Environment-Based: Integrate the three previously mentioned classifications.
Example Application: Running on a treadmill is
Muscle: Gross (involves lower limb)
Movement: Continuous (cyclical leg motions)
Environment: Closed (stable location)
Jean Thiel's Skill Taxonomy
Two Dimensions: Structured in a 4x4 grid.
Action Function Dimension (What the person is doing) includes:
Not moving (no object): Example: Standing still.
Not moving (with object): Example: Holding a cup.
Moving (no object): Example: Walking.
Moving (with object): Example: Running with a backpack.
Environmental Context (What the environment is doing) includes:
Stationary and consistent.
Stationary with variability.
Moving (consistent)
Moving (variable).
Complexity Hierarchy: As one progresses from left to right or top to bottom on the grid, the complexity of skills increases.
Conclusion and Example Exercises
Students are encouraged to classify a variety of skills using the discussed criteria (muscle group, movement duration, environment stability).
In practice, recognizing the blurred lines among discrete, serial, continuous, fine, and gross motor skills is essential.
Reflection and Future Sessions
The classification schemes aid in understanding motor skills complexity and improving practical applications in various tasks.
Future sessions will include clarification on remaining topics, further classifications, and practical examples in lab settings.