ML 1 (introduction to motor learning) Flashcards
What is a motor skill?
a motor activity with a specific goal.
> has an objective
> is voluntary
> needs to be learnt
What are 3 main criteria of a motor skill?
- consistent achievement of the goal
- success under different conditions (e.g. fatigue)
- efficiency
skill = movement ?
no,
movement = specific patterns of joint/segment motion
Describe a 1D classification of motor skill
classifies skills with respect to the opposite end of a characteristic feature
Give 3 examples of continuums that may be used to classify skills in a 1D model
> gross vs fine
continuous vs discrete
open vs closed
What are the two broad contexts in Gentile’s taxonomy (2D classification)?
> action function
> environmental context
How is action function split in Gentile’s taxonomy?
body stability and body transport
each of which involve either object manipulation or no object manipulation
How is environmental context split in Gentile’s taxonomy?
in motion conditions and stationary conditions
each of which involve either inter-trial variability or no inter-trial variability
Explain the condition of body stability in Gentile’s taxonomy
the individual’s CoM is not in transport.
e.g. holding a yoga pose or shooting basketball free throws
Explain the condition of body transport in Gentile’s taxonomy
the individuals CoM is being displaced.
e.g. running on a track
Explain the condition of stationary environment in Gentile’s taxonomy
the environment around the individual is not changing
e.g. running on an empty track
Explain the condition of in motion environment in Gentile’s taxonomy
the environment around the individual is changing
e.g. playing a game of football
How can you assess execution performance?
> EMG
Kinematics
Forces
How can you assess outcome performance?
> error (accuracy and consistency)
What are the 3 types of error you can assess?
- absolute error (magnitude of error across reps)
- constant error (direction of error)
- variability error (consistency of performance)
What do absolute and constant error give you an image of?
average behaviour
What does variability error give you an image of?
variability (duh)
What is learning?
a change in the capability of a person to perform a skill that must be inferred from a relatively permanent improvement in performance as a result of practice or experience
- (Magil & Anderson, 2014)
How do performance (left side) and learning (right side) differ?
observable behaviour vs inferred
temporary vs relatively permanent
may not be due to practice vs due to practice
may be influence by condition vs not influenced by condition
What are the 6 key features of learning?
- improvement over time
- consistency
- stability in light of int or ext perturbations
- persistence of improved performance
- adaptability to similar conditions
- reduced attentional demand (less focus and dual tasking)
What typical trends may you observe in a performance (learning) curve?
> linear
-vely accelerated
+vely accelerated
S-shaped
Other than performance (learning) curves, what other methods can be used to assess learning?
> retention tests (observing performance after time off)
transfer tests (novel context or variation to the skill)
dual task tests (adding additional task to the skill)
What feature of learning do retention tests observe?
degree of persistence
What feature of learning do transfer tests observe?
adaptability
What feature of learning do dual task tests observe?
attentional demand
What model describes how we progress through the stages of learning?
Fitts & Posner model
Describe the cognitive stage of learning
focusing on cognitive objectives:
- what to do
- how to do it
external feedback required from the instructor
Describe the associative stage of learning
basic mechanics are ok but there’s a need to improve accuracy and consistency of performance.
the performer is now able to recognise errors themselves
Describe the autonomous stage of learning
performer does not need to think about performer the skill. execution and error correction are performed automatically
performer is able to multitask and think ahead as attentional demand is decreased
What are the effects of moving through the stages of learning on coordination?
early stages of learning involve rigid movement and muscle co-contraction
as a skill is learnt, there is an increase of functional synergies
What changes occur during the learning process?
> coordination (increased functional synergies)
neuromuscular activation (better timing and more efficient muscle use)
energy cost (increased mechanical efficiency)
error correction (more rapid and efficient corrections)
reduced conscious attentional demands
