Lecture 1

Question 1

Define motor

Answer 1

To do with the production and execution of human movement

Question 2

What term should be used instead of muscle memory?

Answer 2

Motor memory

Question 3

What are the three elements of motor behaviour?

Answer 3

Motor control
Motor learning
Motor development

Question 4

Define motor control

Answer 4

The underlying mechanisms responsible for movement

sensory stimulus –> response –> motor outcome

Question 5

Define motor development

Answer 5

changes in movement behaviour that are as a function of growth and maturation

ex. learning how to walk

Question 6

Define motor learning

Answer 6

Change in internal processes associated with practice or experience leading to an individual’s capacity for movement production (skilled performance)

a product of experience and practice
relatively permanent

Question 7

Define motor performance

Answer 7

observable production of a voluntary action or motor skill. Performance is influenced by transient factors such as motivation, arousal, fatigue, and physical condition

Question 8

What is important to remember in order to get an accurate assessment of motor learning and motor performance

Answer 8

The individual has to be observed multiple times; must be inferred from observation of stable levels of performance. This makes sure you didn’t just catch the athlete on an ‘off day’.

Question 9

What is the best way to assess motor learning

Answer 9

observing motor performance.

Question 10

How is motor learning assessed by observing motor performance

Answer 10

an action or motor skill is observed multiple times and if the performance is consistent, learning has occurred.

ex. an athlete grabs a basketball and does 100 free throws. If the athlete makes 25 baskets that would be inconsistent performance, but if the athlete makes 95 baskets that would be consistent performance and we could assume motor learning has occurred.

Question 11

Define motor skill

Answer 11

Ability to bring about some end result with maximum certainty and minimum energy expenditure or minimum time and energy.

Question 12

How is motor skill viewed

Answer 12

Proficiency a person demonstrates when performing a movement

Question 13

What are the 3 factors of performance proficiency (Guthrie definition)

Answer 13

1. Maximum certainty of achieving a goal (not luck)
2. Minimum energy expenditure
3. Minimum movement time

Question 14

Define gross motor skill

Answer 14

Primary control of movement by large muscles

• Proximal muscles (closer to the spinal column and head)
• Ex. running

Question 15

Define fine motor skill

Answer 15

Primary control of movement by smaller muscles

• Distal muscles (farther from the body’s core; toes and fingers)
• Ex. writing

Question 16

Define discrete skill

Answer 16

have a distinct beginning and end point.

Ex. throwing a dart

Question 17

Define serial skill

Answer 17

several discrete actions sequenced together
Ex. hammering a nail
1. pick up a nail and place it on the wood
2. pick up the hammer
3. hammer the nail
4. put down hammer

Question 18

Define continuous skill

Answer 18

No distinct end of beginning (usually longer in duration)

Ex. a person pacing around the room

Question 19

What is an open skill

Answer 19

• Unpredictable
• The performer must act according to the environment or on the actions of another object.
• Ex. chasing a rabbit

Question 20

What is a closed skill

Answer 20

• Predictable
• The object waits to be acted upon by the performer
• Ex. archery, running on a motorless treadmill

Question 21

What is a motor skill

Answer 21

High degree of movement involved with less cognitive involvement. The quality of the movement is emphasized.
Ex. running a sprint

Question 22

What is a cognitive skill

Answer 22

A lower degree of movement and more decision driven. The quality of decision is emphasized
Ex. Playing chess