Motor Learning Flashcards
what is motor learning
is a discipline concerned with the learning of skilled movements through biophysical knowledge about neural, muscular and sensory systems, practice and feedback
what are 2 key elements are in motor learning & coaching
-Motor programs
-Motor skills
what is motor program
organised set of individual motor skills (or subroutines) that result in the correct execution of a specified skill.
Success of motor programs is dependant on?
- individual motor skills being executed with correct timing
- and being placed in the correct order or sequence
motor programs are store in the performers what?
in the performers memory and called upon when required to complete a given task.
when performing a task the player combines what with what
In completing the task, the performer combines a series of smaller tasks to perform the larger movement
define skill
“learned ability to bring about predetermined results with a maximum of certainty, often with a minimum outlay of time or energy, or both”
list & describe all 3 skill categories
- Cognitive skills involving primarily the brain
e.g. reading, analysing a problem. - Perceptual skills involving how an individual
interprets stimuli e.g. two players receive the
same information from the environment but
interpret it differently. Correct interpretation of
stimuli improves performance. - Motor skills involving physical movement
eg catching, throwing, running.
define motor skills
activities that involve voluntary muscular movement to complete a predetermined task
motor skills are important for coaches to what
- in order to assess performance
- plan skill development and provide the performer with appropriate feedback.
list all classification of movement skills
-Movement Precision
-Type of Movement
-Predictability of the Environment
list characteristics of motor skills
-Skills require a relatively complex sequence of movements.
-They are learned and require practice to improve performance.
-They have pre-determined goals and objectives.
Compared to unskilled peformer, a skilled performer will have what: list at least 4
-Produce the correct response to a given situation
-Achieve desired outcome consistently
-Have greater accuracy
-Be quicker to respond
-Be well coordinated with fluency of movement
-Analyse information and make decisions faster
-Be physiologically economic – movement is fluent
-Focus only on relevant cues
Classification of Movement Skills:
Movement precision
This continuum is influenced by the size of muscle groups / movements involved
list & describe the 2 main parts of movement precision
Gross Motor Skills
Involve movement of major muscle groups resulting in large body part movement
Includes fundamental movement patterns e.g. walking, running, balance, coordination, jumping
Fine Motor Skills
Involve movement of smaller muscle groups resulting in more precise movement
Includes activities such as writing, typing on a keyboard, playing a guitar
Often involves coordination between the hands and eyes
Classification of Movement Skills:
Predictability of the Environment
This continuum is influenced by the impact
of the environment on the skill.
list & describe the 2 parts in Predictability of the Environment
Closed Skills
Where the performer has the greatest control over their performance environment (weather, playing surface, opponent) and usually require repetition of a successful movement pattern
e.g. gymnastics
Open Skills
Where the performer is required to have flexibility and adaptation in the execution of a skill under a constantly changing environment or time pressure
e.g. kayaking
what is the difference between open & closed skills
Open Skills:
Involve performing in an environment where critical information is constantly changing and the production of the skill must adapt to these changes
Performers use experience, perceptual skills and knowledge to analyse a given situation during the course of the performance before adapting a suitable skill in response
Decision making is made during the course of the performance
Games such as rugby, soccer, netball are open skills as the performer must take into account the movement of team mates and opposition when performing a skill
Closed:
Take place in a stable, predictable environment which is self-paced
The skill is a pre–learned, rehearsed movement pattern, that the performer tries to reproduce the same way every time
The environment has little influence on the performer
e.g. diving, floor routine in gymnastics, shot putt
Classification of Movement Skills:
Complexity of the Task
This continuum is based on how difficult the skill is to perform.
list all 5 affectors of Complexity of the Task
-The number of relevant cues that require attention
-The amount information that needs to be analysed
-The number of available responses to select from
-Time available to analyse information and select response
-Task requirements – degree of speed and accuracy needed.
define Fitts & Posner model
Fitts and Posner, 1967, proposed that motor learning is done in 3 progressive stages:
1. The Cognitive Phase
2. The Associative Stage
3. The Autonomous Stage
define the first stage & what it is
First Stage of Learning: The Cognitive Phase
The initial phase in the learning of a motor skill where the emphasis is on conscious understanding of the task requirements.
characteristics of cognitive: list at least 4
-Performer learns the nature and demands of the task
-Performance level is inconsistent with frequent large errors trial and error is common
-Athletes more concerned with what to do rather than how to do it
-Learner begins to develop the basic motor patterns for the task
-Movements consciously controlled
-Little, if any, cue recognition
-Demonstration of the skill prior to performance and immediate feedback to correct errors is vital
-All instructions, explanations and feedback must be kept simple
define the 2nd stage & what it is
The second phase in the learning of a new skill in which movement patterns become more refined and consistent through practice.
characteristics of associative: list at least 4
-Also referred to as the practice or intermediate stage
-Characterised by plenty of practice to develop and
consolidate motor programs
-Athlete associates environmental cues with actions
-Parts of the skill become automatically controlled
-Consistency improves
-Size and frequency of errors decreases
-External feedback is important but learner begins to -understand and use internal feedback to change performance
-Feedback contains more specific information
-Selective attention improves
the length of time in the associative phase can be dependent on what?
-Task complexity
-Level of ability
-Amount of practice
-Amount and quality of feedback
define the 3rd stage of the autonomous stage & what it is
The final phase in the learning of a new skill in which the control of movement appears to be almost automatic and free of the need for constant attention.
characteristics of autonomous stage: list at least 4
-Performer’s movements are fluent, well coordinated and seemingly effortless
-Increased speed and accuracy of response to a given situation
-Attends to relevant cues only – selective attention is high.
-Little variability in day to day performance
-Able to detect and self-correct errors
-Skills are almost automated
-Little attention given to technique allows more attention to be given to decision making and the application of tactics and strategies
