Motor Control and Motor Learning

Question 1

What is motor control?

Answer 1

area of study understanding the neural, physical, and behavioral aspects of biological movement.

Question 2

Explain the model of information-processing stages of movement control. (catching a ball example)

Answer 2

• stimulus
• identify stimulus –> select response –> program response
• movement output

Question 3

What is a motor program?

Answer 3

an abstract (a thought) representation that, when initiated, results in the production of a coordinated movement sequence.

Question 4

What is feedforward control?

Answer 4

• anticipatory

- sending signal(s) in advance of movement to ready system for incoming sensory feedback or future motor control.

Question 5

What is feedback?

Answer 5

• response-produced sensory information received during or after movement.
• used to monitor movement for output for corrective actions.

Question 6

What theory of motor control is currently accepted as most accurate?

Answer 6

• systems theory

Question 7

What is the systems theory of motor control?

Answer 7

Distributed model of control (shifting center of control)
- various brain and spinal centers work cooperatively to meet demands of body.
- both internal and external factors are taken into consideration when planning movements.
Degrees of freedom
- separate, independent dimension of movement

Question 8

Does open or closed loop systems run without the influence of peripheral feedback or error detection?

Answer 8

• open looped system

Question 9

Which looped system is essential for ongoing maintenance of body posture and balance?

Answer 9

• closed loop system

Question 10

Which looped system plays a critical role in learning a new motor skill and/or correction of ongoing movements?

Answer 10

• closed loop system

Question 11

In generalized motor programs what are the unique features of stored code(s)?

Answer 11

• invariant characteristics: force, timing, order

Question 12

In generalized motor programs what are the parameters?

Answer 12

• changeable features

Question 13

What are muscle synergies?

Answer 13

• used to simplify control
• reduce/constrain degrees of freedom
• to initiate coordinated patterns of movement

Question 14

What part of the brain controls synergies?

Answer 14

• cerebellum

Question 15

What is a synergy?

Answer 15

• functionally linked muscle act together to produce intended motor action.
• can act in isolation
• most common to combine for functional tasks.

Question 16

Define motor learning?

Answer 16

• a set of internal processes associated with practice and experience leading to relatively permanent changes in the capability for motor skills.

Question 17

As a PT how are you able to determine if your treatments are making an impact and changing your patients CNS?

Answer 17

• you will observe changes in your patients motor behavior

Question 18

What is the best measure of learning?

Answer 18

• retention

- defined as the ability of the learner to demonstrate skill over time and after a period of no practice.

Question 19

What is termed as the ability to refine a learned skill to changing task and environmental demands?

Answer 19

• adaptability

Question 20

Motor learning is the direct result of ________ and is highly dependent on _______ information and ________ processes.

Answer 20

• practice; sensory; feedback

Question 21

Currently accepted theory of motor learning is?

Answer 21

• schema theory

Question 22

What is the schema theory of motor learning?

Answer 22

Has two parts:

• recall schema (motor program) used to select and define past parameters/conditions/outcomes
• recognition schema (sensory) used to evaluate movement responses

Question 23

We learn skills by learning rules about the ___________ of our bodies - forming _____________ between how our muscles are activated, what they actually do, and how these actions feel.

Answer 23

• functioning; relationships

Question 24

What training strategies for feedback, practice, and environment do you want to use when your patient is in the cognitive stage of motor learning?

Answer 24

• use intact sensory systems, use visuals, and use praise for correct performance when giving feedback.
• use block or repeated practice of same task, mental practice.
• structure environment to reduce distractions to ensure attention.

Question 25

How will you apply feedback, practice, and environment training strategies when your patient is in the associated stage of motor learning?

Answer 25

• feedback when errors are consistent, emphasize proprioceptive feedback “feel the movement”
• create a variable practice order and encourage consistency in performance.
• progress toward more open, changing environments.

Question 26

How will you apply feedback, practice, and environment training strategies when your patient is in the autonomous stage of motor learning?

Answer 26

• provide occasional feedback when errors are evident
• high levels (massed) of practice.
• challenge learner with varied environments to ready for home, work, or community.