Motor Control, Motor Learning, and Applicable Theories

Question 1

What is movement?

Answer 1

“Movement is a product of the contributions of many systems working together within their own maturation level to produce movement tailored for that particular individual at that particular time, within that unique environment, to perform a specific task

Question 2

What are the three drivers of movement (or behavior)?

Answer 2

Individual, Task, and Environment

Question 3

What is the field of motor control?

Answer 3

Directed at the study of movement as the result of a complex set of neurological, physical, and behavioral processes.

Question 4

Examples of tasks grouped according to functional categories…

Answer 4

Bed mobility tasks
Transfer tasks
Walking and ADLs

Question 5

What is a discrete task?

Answer 5

Has a beginning and and an end

Question 6

What is a continuous task?

Answer 6

End point is not inherent characteristic of task. Example (running)

Question 7

What does a manipulation component to a task add to the performance?

Answer 7

Requires an increase in demand for stability.

Question 8

What are open movements?

Answer 8

Performer adapts behavior within constantly changing environment.

Question 9

What are closed movements?

Answer 9

Stable environment.

Example (weightlifting)

Question 10

What is an environmental constraint on movement?

Answer 10

Size, shape, type, of an object or a surface to be walked on.

Question 11

What is a non-regulatory movement constraint?

Answer 11

lighting in a room or noise. Movement doesnt have to conform to these

Question 12

What are developmental theories?

Answer 12

The study of growth and development from conception to death.

Question 13

Neural-Maturationist Theory

Answer 13

Motor development stages occur due to CNS maturation.

Top-down control

Question 14

Limitations of Neural-Masturbation Theory

Answer 14

Presumes that reflexes still play a role in all movement.

Pediatric PT is based on this model.

Question 15

What is the focus of cognitive theories?

Answer 15

Focus on advancement of the development of thinking.

CBT: (Pavlov/Skinner)
CDT: (Piaget)

Question 16

Does CBT have stages?

Answer 16

No.

Development occurs through interaction with the environment.

Question 17

What is C”D”T?

Answer 17

Development occurs as a result of sensory and motor interactions with environment at different stages.

First stages use reflexes and progress to voluntary actions.

Question 18

Piaget’s Four Stages of Development

Answer 18

Piaget’s Four Stages of Development

Question 19

What are the limitations of Cognitive Theories?

Answer 19

Interrelatedness of movement skill to cognition was not described.

Question 20

What is motor learning theory?

Answer 20

Movement conditions, parameters of the motor program, outcome of the movement, and how the movement felt are stored in short-term memory until the following 2 schema can be extracted.

Question 21

What is recall schema?

Answer 21

Movement conditions

Motor program parameters

Question 22

What is recognition schema?

Answer 22

Knowledge of results

Sensory feedback from movement.

Question 23

Cognitive stage of motor learning…

Answer 23

involves understanding the task, selecting a strategy, and constraining degrees of freedom to make the task easier. Characterized by large number of errors, but important to let patient be an active participant.

Question 24

Associative stage of motor learning…

Answer 24

allows task refinement, allowing more degrees of freedom with less muscle co-contraction, increasing coordination and decreasing variability of performance.

Question 25

Autonomous stage of motor learning…

Answer 25

Final stage wherein speed and efficiency of performance improves and automatic skills emerge. Patients ready for advanced challenges via distraction or new combinations of skills.

Question 26

What is important when considering motor learning of a task?

Answer 26

Repetition.

Question 27

What is dynamic systems theory?

Answer 27

All systems demonstrate a change over time.

Self-organization of the interaction of systems is main dynamical action principle.

Question 28

With dynamic systems theory, is there a primary driving influence that facilitates change?

Answer 28

No.

Question 29

What is the best theory?

Answer 29

One that incorporates best concepts of all previous theories and one that leaves room for growth as new evidence identifies new insights into motor control.

Question 30

What is motor learning?

Acquisition

Answer 30

Modification of movement in normal subjects that is relatively permanent.

Question 31

What is motor learning?

Re-acquisition

Answer 31

Recovery of function of movement skills lost through injury or illness.

Question 32

Why is motor learning knowledge important to pediatric therapists?

Answer 32

Because effective therapists are teachers or facilitators of human movement education or re-education.

Question 33

Define motor training

Answer 33

Performer provided with solutions to problems.

Question 34

Define performance

Answer 34

Temporary change in behavior observed during practice.

Question 35

Define learning

Answer 35

Permanent change in behavior based on the learner’s ability to actively problem solve and derive the solution in a variety of circumstances.

Question 36

What are the two distinct phases of motor learning?

Answer 36

Acquisition or practice phase.

Retention and transfer phase

Question 37

Define acquisition phase:

Answer 37

Involves:
intiial fumbling attempts
skills are learned or relearned
indicates performance

Question 38

Define retention and transfer phase:

Answer 38

Mastery of a skill
Information stored for retrieval and application to novel situations
Indicates learning

Question 39

Example of intrinsic feedback

Answer 39

Comes from within one’s body via sensory systems, perception (closed loop)
Intrinsic feedback may be distorted in patients with neurological lesions

Question 40

Example of extrinsic feedback

Answer 40

Is augmented information provided from an external source
Purpose is to provide person with Knowledge of Results (outcome of movement) or Knowledge of Performance (how they did with each stage of movement)