Motor Control and Movement System Analysis of Tasks

Question 1

Nature of movement

Answer 1

• movement emerges from the interactions of individual, task, and environment (Dynamic systems theory)

Question 2

Systems in the individual

Answer 2

• Perceptual: making sense of the senses
• Action: neuromuscular & biomechanical factors, joints/muscles choose amongst equivalent solutions (“degrees of freedom” problem)
• Cognitive: establishes intent or goal
• constraints in any system could impair movements

Question 3

Tasks contraints

Answer 3

• Variety of tasks requires us to adapt out motor control strategies to changing demands

Question 4

Tasks can be classified using Gentile’s taxonomy

Answer 4

• Body stable or body movement
• Object manipulation or no object manipulation
• Stationary environment or in motion environment

Question 5

Other ways to classify tasks

Answer 5

• Discrete vs continuous: kicking ball versus walking
• Closed vs open: playing tennis vs treadmill walking at a fixed speed (closed = controlled environment, open = exposed to external factors)
• Stability vs mobility: sitting/standing vs walking/running
• Manipulation vs non-manipulation: involving UE movements

Question 6

Environmental constraint

Answer 6

• Regulatory: specific aspects of the environment shape movement, movement control strategies need to conform to or adapt to the features (ex: size, shape, weight of a cup)
• Non Regulatory: aspects that are no critical to accomplishing movement, may affect performance but movement does not need to conform to these features (gait w/lights on vs off)

Question 7

How else can tasks be classified as (think balance)

Answer 7

• Mobility
• Postural Control
• Upper Extremity Function

Question 8

Core tasks involved in ADLs

Answer 8

• Mobility related: scooting, rolling, & supine to sitting (bed mobility); sit to stand (transfer); walking and turns & step up/down (walking)
• Postural control related: sitting (bed mobility), standing (transfer/walking tasks)
• Manipulation related: reach, grasp, manipulate, tasks involving hand function

Question 9

Hedmen’s temporal stages model for movement analysis of tasks

Answer 9

• Initial conditions: observe posture, environmental conditions to check if pt is in a position to perform the task
• Preparation phase: did the pt understand the instructions to get in the ‘ready position/posture’
• Initiation phase: the initial movement of the task, observe timing & direction of movement
• Execution phase: observe alignment, stability during the movement, amplitude of joint movement, sequencing, smoothness of movement (majority of the task)
• Termination phase: mature at the end of the task (stability)
• Monitor if any component provokes symptoms

Question 10

Identify the impairments of essential components by observing movement constructs

Answer 10

• Symmetry
• Speed
• Amplitude
• Alignment
• Postural control: verticality & stability
• Coordination: smoothness & sequencing
• Timing
• Accuracy
• Symptom provocation