Motor Learning

Question 1

what is motor learning

Answer 1

is a discipline concerned with the learning of skilled movements through biophysical knowledge about neural, muscular and sensory systems, practice and feedback

Question 2

what are 2 key elements are in motor learning & coaching

Answer 2

-Motor programs
-Motor skills

Question 3

what is motor program

Answer 3

organised set of individual motor skills (or subroutines) that result in the correct execution of a specified skill.

Question 4

Success of motor programs is dependant on?

Answer 4

• individual motor skills being executed with correct timing
• and being placed in the correct order or sequence

Question 5

motor programs are store in the performers what?

Answer 5

in the performers memory and called upon when required to complete a given task.

Question 6

when performing a task the player combines what with what

Answer 6

In completing the task, the performer combines a series of smaller tasks to perform the larger movement

Question 7

define skill

Answer 7

“learned ability to bring about predetermined results with a maximum of certainty, often with a minimum outlay of time or energy, or both”

Question 8

list & describe all 3 skill categories

Answer 8

1. Cognitive skills involving primarily the brain
   e.g. reading, analysing a problem.
2. 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.
3. Motor skills involving physical movement
   eg catching, throwing, running.

Question 9

define motor skills

Answer 9

activities that involve voluntary muscular movement to complete a predetermined task­

Question 10

motor skills are important for coaches to what

Answer 10

• in order to assess performance
• plan skill development and provide the performer with appropriate feedback.

Question 11

list all classification of movement skills

Answer 11

-Movement Precision
-Type of Movement
-Predictability of the Environment

Question 12

list characteristics of motor skills

Answer 12

-Skills require a relatively complex sequence of movements.
-They are learned and require practice to improve performance.
-They have pre-determined goals and objectives.

Question 13

Compared to unskilled peformer, a skilled performer will have what: list at least 4

Answer 13

-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

Question 14

Classification of Movement Skills:
Movement precision

Answer 14

This continuum is influenced by the size of muscle groups / movements involved

Question 15

list & describe the 2 main parts of movement precision

Answer 15

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

Question 16

Classification of Movement Skills:
Predictability of the Environment

Answer 16

This continuum is influenced by the impact
of the environment on the skill.

Question 17

list & describe the 2 parts in Predictability of the Environment

Answer 17

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

Question 18

what is the difference between open & closed skills

Answer 18

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

Question 19

Classification of Movement Skills:
Complexity of the Task

Answer 19

This continuum is based on how difficult the skill is to perform.

Question 20

list all 5 affectors of Complexity of the Task

Answer 20

-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.

Question 21

define Fitts & Posner model

Answer 21

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

Question 22

define the first stage & what it is

Answer 22

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.

Question 23

characteristics of cognitive: list at least 4

Answer 23

-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

Question 24

define the 2nd stage & what it is

Answer 24

The second phase in the learning of a new skill in which movement patterns become more refined and consistent through practice.

Question 25

characteristics of associative: list at least 4

Answer 25

-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

Question 26

the length of time in the associative phase can be dependent on what?

Answer 26

-Task complexity
-Level of ability
-Amount of practice
-Amount and quality of feedback

Question 27

define the 3rd stage of the autonomous stage & what it is

Answer 27

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.

Question 28

characteristics of autonomous stage: list at least 4

Answer 28

-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