Motor Learning

Question 1

Motor Learning

Answer 1

A relatively permanent change in the performance level of a motor skill as a result of practice

Question 2

Stages of Motor Learning

Answer 2

1. Cognitive
2. Associative
3. Autonomous

Question 3

Cognitive Stage

Answer 3

• learning basics (typically not in this area for too long)
• movements characterized by:
• > Limited Success
• > Jerky movements
• > Poor timing

Question 4

Ways to coach someone in cognitive stage

Answer 4

• teach basic skills
• have the person follow an example
• provide feedback frequently
• distributed practice
• etc.

Question 5

Associative Stage

Answer 5

• Fundamentals have been established
• Skill is not perfect
• Individual can usually detect their own error
• Less thought required to do skill
• Where the majority of people are for their skills

Question 6

Ways to coach someone in cognitive stage

Answer 6

• Mass practice needed

Question 7

Autonomous Stage

Answer 7

• Skill performed with little thought

- Able to apply the skill in many different scenarios

Question 8

Ways to coach someone in autonomous stage

Answer 8

• very difficult because not much needed to change

- only refinement

Question 9

Tool used to test motor learning

Answer 9

Pursuit motor

Question 10

Factors affecting Learning

Answer 10

• Physical Characteristics
• Endurance / Strength / Flexibility
• Psychosocial factors
• Prior skills
• Appropriate feedback

Question 11

Principles to consider in practice:

Answer 11

• Speed accuracy
• Massed vs. distributed practice
• Whole vs. part

Question 12

Feedback Hierarchy

Answer 12

Task intrinsic feedback:

• visual
• auditory
• proprioceptive
• tactile

Augmented Feedback:

• Knowledge of Results (KR)
• Knowledge of Performance (KP)

Question 13

Changes that occur with Motor Learning

Answer 13

• Improves coordination
• Changing preferred coordination patterns from old patterns
• Changes in muscles used to perform skill
• Changes in energy cost
• Changes in Visual Selective Attention
• Changes in Attention Demands
• Changes in error detection and correction capability
• Changes in brain activity (Neuroplasticity)

Question 14

Expertise

Answer 14

• Intense deliberate practice for minimum of 10 years in order to become expert
• Knowledge becomes more organized
• More efficient use of vision

Question 15

General characteristics of learning

Answer 15

1. Improvement
2. Consistency
3. Stability
4. Persistence
5. Adaptability

Question 16

Examples of Adaptation

Answer 16

Closed skill: 
- Golf
- Walking 
- Shooting free throw
Open skill:
- Catching a ball 
- Driving a car

Question 17

How do we infer learning?

Answer 17

Retention test:
- tests given after an empty period without practice
Transfer test:
test with changes of task conditions

Question 18

Performance Plateau

Answer 18

• Thought to be periods of transition between the phases of motor learning
• Low attention, motivation, or fatigue
• Trying out different movement strategies
• Usually not seen in research papers because they show the average of several participants
• Different than the ceiling or floor effect