MS&L 2.0

• Motor Control -involves the study of the neural, behavioral, environmental, and synergistic mechanisms responsible for human movement and stability.
• All motor skills, regardless of the level of skill with which they are executed, are expressions of the motor control system.
• 3 Factors affecting the learning of motor skills

  The learner - skill learning, lvl of motivation, age and developmental readiness, psychological characteristics, fitness lvl, bodily constraints of movements
• 3 Factors affecting the learning of motor skills

  Nature of the skill - interactive, executed rapidly or over time, perceptual demands, stable or changing conditions
• 3 Factors affecting the learning of motor skills

  Environment - predictability, presence of observers. Light, wind, surface conditions, etc.
• Learning -is a relatively permanent change in a person’s ability to execute a motor skill as a result of practice or experience doing a skill.

  -we cant see it, and cannot be directly observed
• PERFORMANCE - is the execution of the skill.

  -we can see this instead of the learning process

  -through repeated observation of this, we can infer whether a person has learned a skill
• Inferences ⁃ this must be accurate
• Motor skill

  -goal oriented

  -body and limb movements required to accomplish goals

  -voluntary

  -must be learned or re-learned
• 2 Precision of movement

  ● FINE MOTOR SKILL - Involving very precise movements normally accomplished using smaller musculature
• 2 Precision of movement

  ● GROSS MOTOR SKILL - Places less emphasis on precision and is typically the result of multi-limb movements
• 3 Nature of Movement Organization

  ● DISCRETE - Beginning and end points are clearly defined
• 3 Nature of Movement Organization

  ● SERIAL - Composed of a number of discrete skills whose integrated performance is crucial for goal achievement
• 3 Nature of Movement Organization

  ● CONTINUOUS - Beginning and ending points are arbitrary
• Open/Close classification system

  ● CLOSED SKILL - Environmental context is stable and predictable (does not change from trial to trial) - Consistency is the objective

  • Technique refinement is emphasized
• Open/Close classification system

  ● OPEN SKILL - Performer must adapt performance to the ever changing environment.

  • Practice should emphasized responding to the changing demands
• They are classified using continua, as the process of classification is not simple; being specific about the characteristics of a skill can be difficult as many of them change depending on the circumstances under which the skill is performed.
• Muscular Involvement Continuum

  -This continuum considers the amount of muscle movement necessary when performing the particular skill.
• 2 Muscular Involvement Continuum

  Gross skills - involve large muscle movements and little precision
• 2 Muscular Involvement Continuum

  Fine skills - involve small and intricate muscle movements and often lots of precision.

  -emphasize hand-eye coordination 
• Environmental Influence Continuum

  -This continuum considers how strongly the surrounding environment can influence the performance of the skill, and includes not only weather conditions, but additional factors such as the situation and those around you.
• 2 Environmental Influence Continuum

  Open skills

  -environment is constantly changing

  -movements have to be continually adapted

  -predominately externally paced
• 2 Environmental Influence Continuum

  Closed skills

  -stable & predictable environment 

  -movements have a clear beginning and end

  -performer knows what to do & when
• Continuity Continuum

  -This continuum looks at how clear the beginning and end of the skill are.
• 3 Continuity Continuum

  Discrete 

  -brief & well defined

  -clear beginning & end

  -single & specific skills
• 3 Continuity Continuum

  Serial

  -group of discrete skills stung together

  -complex movement
• 3 Continuity Continuum

  Continuous

  -no obvious beginning or end

  -repeated in a cycle
• Pacing Continuum

  -This continuum looks at the level of control the performer has over the timing of the skill. 
• 2 Pacing Continuum

  Externally Paced Skills

  -environment controls (inc. opponents) the rate

  -usually open skills & involves reaction
• 2 Pacing Continuum

  Self (internally) paced skills

  -performer controls the rate

  -usually closed skills
• Difficulty continuum

  -This continuum looks at how complex the skill is, taking into account perceptual load, decision making, speed and timing of sub-routines, speed, accuracy and power required and use of feedback.
• 2 Difficulty continuum

  Simple skills

  -straightforward 

  -requires little concentration
• 2 Difficulty continuum

  Complex skills

  -complicated 

  -requires high level concentration
• Individual, coactive & interactive skills continuum

  -how athletes interact with each other
• Individual 

  -performed in isolation
• Coactive

  -performed with others

  -no direct confrontation 
• Interactive

  -performed with others

  -with direct confrontation 
• Practice classifications 

  -There are also classifications relating to different practice methods, with each aiming to produce a specific outcome.
• Practice classifications 

  Fixed practice

  -is drilling a specific movement repeatedly, which allows the motor sequence to be perfected. Ideal for closed, interactive & coactive skills.
• Practice classifications 

  Variable practice

  -is training a skill using a variety of techniques. This is effective for developing skill and adaptability, and is vital for open & interactive skills.