MC Final: Motor Learning and Performance

Question 1

What is motor learning?

Answer 1

process of acquiring permanent capability for producing skilled movements

this is a result of practice or experience

Question 2

Can we measure learning?

Answer 2

not really as it is abstract, we measure performance and behaviors

Question 3

What various factors affect performance?

Answer 3

fatigue, motivation, anxiety

Question 4

What are two examples of improvement in performance without motor learning?

Answer 4

1. Aerobic training- i can swim better if I improve AC if my form still sucks
2. strength training- increased neural drive and coordination, muscles become more efficient

Question 5

How can we infer that motor learning has taken place?

Answer 5

we can infer things from changes in motor behavior

Question 6

How is permanency connected to learning?

Answer 6

learning changes person in permanent way, if improvement doesn’t stick around like riding a bike then learning never occured

Question 7

What is the difference between adaptation and learning?

Answer 7

Adaptation- water can freeze and unfreeze

learning- boiling an egg causes permanent damage

Question 8

What is the power of practice?

Answer 8

rate of improvement at any point of practice tends to be linearly related to the amount left to improve task

early changes are larger and faster, later changes are smaller and slower

Question 9

What is generalization of learning?

Answer 9

the extent to which practice on one task contributes to performance of other related skills

ex: learning to throw a baseball, transfers to throwing a basketball or driving a car

Question 10

What’s a difference between generalization and transfers?

Answer 10

transfers: non-practiced skill

Question 11

What is retention?

Answer 11

after you have acquired a skill, come back after 24 hours and do same task how much is retained, also without practice

Question 12

What is a floor or ceiling effect?

Answer 12

when there is no learning because task is either too hard or too easy

Question 13

Where does motor learning occur?

Answer 13

through dendrite spine formation

Question 14

What is motor skill consolidation?

Answer 14

process by which motor skills shift from fragile form to one that is more permanent

Question 15

What is a huge factor in motor skill consolidation?

Answer 15

sleep, both procedural and declarative memory

even a short 90 nap is important