LECTURE 4

Question 1

What is motor control

Answer 1

Essentially, motor control can be defined very broadly but is the anything that involves moving.

Question 2

Four characteristics of human movement

Answer 2

Flexible, Unique, Consistent, Modifiable

Question 3

Flexibility

Answer 3

The principle of motor equivalence. We are able to achieve the same goal in a range of different ways. For example, there are a number of different ways of writing the same sentence.

Question 4

Uniqueness

Answer 4

No two movements performed are exactly the same. Everything is always done slightly differently even if the difference is very subtle.

Question 5

Context-Conditioned Variability

Answer 5

Internal non-linearities - central drive, elastic properties of locomotor apparatus
External non-linearities - changes in forces and their directions between movements

Question 6

Consistency

Answer 6

Generally, temporal and spatial pattern of movements remains similar

Question 7

Advantages of consistency

Answer 7

Train muscles for particular movement so will perform more highly.
Efficiency - start to recruit smaller motor units so use less energy

Question 8

Disadvantages of consistency

Answer 8

Fatigue, Repetitive Stress Injuries (RSI), Poor performance but individual unaware.

Question 9

Modifiability

Answer 9

Capability to alter movement patterns during motion and in various environments. For example, slipping and being able to recover.

Question 10

EXAMPLE: Discrete Skill, Open Environment

Answer 10

Lineout throw

Question 11

EXAMPLE: Discrete Skill, Closed Environment

Answer 11

Bicep curl

Question 12

EXAMPLE: Serial Skill, Open Environment

Answer 12

Surfing

Question 13

EXAMPLE: Serial Skill, Closed Environment

Answer 13

Basketball

Question 14

EXAMPLE: Continuous Skill, Open Environment

Answer 14

Rowing

Question 15

EXAMPLE: Continuous Skill, Closed Environment

Answer 15

Treadmill Running

Question 16

Coordination

Answer 16

Function of constraining the components of the motor system into a behavioural unit

Question 17

Control

Answer 17

Function of determining the acceptable parameters for the coordinative structures

Question 18

Skill

Answer 18

Optimisation of coordinative structure behaviour

Question 19

Feedback Control

Answer 19

Use of information received via sensory receptors to guide movement

Question 20

Feedforward Control

Answer 20

Movement based on predictions

Question 21

Anticipatory Postural Adjustments (APA)

Answer 21

Preparatory development of muscle tone and coordination to enable effective future movement

Question 22

Compensatory/Integrative Postural Adjustments

Answer 22

Muscle actions that enable continued effective behaviour

Question 23

Movement Enhances Perception

Answer 23

This leads to greater input and increase in visual field - eg. moving around the putting green to find the best angle

Question 24

Movement Informs perception

Answer 24

For example, wearing a heavy backpack will make the hill appear steeper than it actually is.

Question 25

Skill - Maximum Certainty

Answer 25

Relatively low performance variability

Question 26

Skill - Minimum Energy

Answer 26

Efficiency and Economy

Question 27

Skill - Minimum Time

Answer 27

Related to performance speed eg. pitching a baseball

Question 28

Three factors solving the degrees of freedom problem

Answer 28

Stability, Efficiency, End State Comfort

Question 29

Stability

Answer 29

Low movement variability

Question 30

Efficiency

Answer 30

Low energy expenditure, use gravity, if possible, utilise the physical and mechanical properties of muscles and tendons

Question 31

End State Comfort

Answer 31

Avoidance of discomfort, maximise potential for future movement.