Lecture 1: Intro to Motor Control

Question 1

What is lifespan development?

Answer 1

change in function/ performance occurring throughout life

Question 2

What two fundamental processes does lifespan development rely on?

Answer 2

1. developmental components (aging)

2. learning or experiences

Question 3

What is motor behavior?

Answer 3

performance of a motor task that can be seen, described, measured and quantified

Question 4

What is growth?

Answer 4

quantitative changes associated with physical characteristics, to get larger, taller, heavier, bigger

Question 5

What is maturation?

Answer 5

physiological changes that occur at the level of cell, tissue or organ to produce function

Question 6

What is learning?

Answer 6

new skills/behaviors, that are acquired as a result of experience or practice

heavily dependent on environment and experiences

Question 7

What is mobility?

Answer 7

ability to move in and out of position, ability to assume a posture

Question 8

What is stability?

Answer 8

ability to hold a position or posture, ability to hold body against gravity, dependent on normal muscle tone/ strength

Question 9

What is controlled mobility?

Answer 9

ability to move while holding steady

ex: reach, rock and rotate

Question 10

What is skill?

Answer 10

highly complex and coordinated, goal directed, typically learned through practice

Question 11

What is motor control?

Answer 11

neurobiological and systemic processes that underlie all human movement

non-directed mvmts of fetus to goal directed mvmt of adults

Question 12

What is motor learning?

Answer 12

changes in motor performance that occur as a result of practice

Question 13

What is motor development?

Answer 13

changes in motor behavior that rely heavily on maturation

growth, learning, maturation = development

Question 14

What is a motor milestone?

Answer 14

specific skills seen across lifespan

Question 15

What is Hierarchal model?

Answer 15

By Gesell and McGraw

control of movement emerges from reflexes within hierarchal organized levels of CNS

top down organization

Question 16

What is dynamic systems theory?

Answer 16

By Esther Thelen

control of movement is shaped by the interaction between- task, individual and environment

Question 17

What are examples of the individual in DS theory?

Answer 17

CNS and MS working together, Cardipulm systems

motivation and intent

Question 18

What are examples of environmental influences in DS theory?

Answer 18

closed vs open

closed= structured, predictable

Question 19

What are examples of task in DS theory?

Answer 19

are you stepping into car or up a step

getting off a bean bag or wooden chair

Question 20

What is neuronal group selection theory?

Answer 20

edelmen 1989, Hadders/Alga-2010

variation and variability= normal

determined by genetics and experience

Question 21

What is variation?

Answer 21

broad repertoire of behaviors for a motor function

Question 22

What is variability?

Answer 22

capacity to select from repertoire the strategy that best suits the situation

Question 23

What is primary variability?

Answer 23

lots of variation is due to exploration by nervous system, little ability to adapt

Question 24

What is secondary variability?

Answer 24

through active experiences or trial and error, occurs unconsciously