Motor programmes, schema theory and response time

• Motor programme definition

  A series of subroutines organised into the correct sequence to perform a movement. Stored in the long term memory, retrieved when we need to perform the skill
• Open Loop theory

  • Decisions made prior to performing skill
  • Info for 1 movement is sent in 1
  • Feedback may/may not be available but doesn't control the action
  • fast, continuous, ballistic movement
• Closed Loop Theory

  • Slow movements
  • Decisions made in the brain
  • Not all info is sent together
  • Info received by the muscles to initiate the movement
  • Feedback is always available and is vital to correct movement patterns
  • LEVEL 2 - small adjustments made during skill, feedback will be via the muscles
  • LEVEL 3 - cognitive process, feedback via the brain, take more time than level 2 e.g gymnast balancing on the beam
• Schema Theory R+R

  • All info needed for action is in the brain in the long term memory
  • Motor programmes can be clustered and are changeable to respond to the situation
  • Can be referred to cognitive framework, that organises information and experiences related to movement skills
  • Explains how our brain organises and stores information
• Schmidt, 1977

  • Stated that the larger the motor programme that is achieved via practise, easier it can be adapted to new situations
• Recall


  Occurs before a movement is initiated and includes the following information which the performer must know to form a schema
• Recognition


  Occurs either during/after the performance of a skill. In order to correct/alter a response.
• Recall + Recognition theory

  Recall - Movement - Recognition