motor learning

Question 1

define motor control

Answer 1

nature and cause of movement
what is the movement
how is movement happening

Question 2

Define motor learning

Answer 2

acquisition and modification of movement
how do we learn new movement
how can we teach new movement

Question 3

systems model of motor control

Answer 3

components working together :
BG
cerebellum 
sensory receptors 
muscles 
cerebral cortex
central pattern generator 

Within NS
Different components for movment

Systems model means componetns work as a team
Cortex signals to cortical spinal tract and down the SC to muscles for movement

Interneurons called central pattern generators have a role in maintaining movement
Can output to muscles

Sensory info constantly coming back through sensory pathways + parallel pathways in cerebellum
Give direction through cerebral cortex direction to muscles whichc muscles to recruit and when

Complicated

Question 4

motor control

sequences of events

Answer 4

intention –> activation –> movement
Activation
Intention
Sensory input selection
Stimulus recognition and memory mechanisms
Response selection: Motor programs (“Grammar of action” = set of rules between cognition and action)
Programming: Planning (sequence), parameter specification
(force, direction)
Postural control: Visual, somatosensory, vestibular
Movement initiation
Feedback: Sensory, visual, cognitive, emotional
Feedforward: Sending of signal ahead of the response, prepare the system for input

Question 5

phases of motor learning

Answer 5

cognitive - early
associative - intermediate
associate environment cues with mvmt improve motor skills
autonomous - final - automatic
- high rate of error initially then it slows

repetitive repetitive engagement in new experiences

Question 6

cognitive phases
phase 1
phase 2

Answer 6

Phase 1: Understanding
goal of task
movements that will bring about the accomplishment of the goal
the strategy that will work best to produce the desired movements

Phase 2: Selection of an appropriate motor program
Produces movement for the first practice trial
Response specifications determined
Motor command implemented
Movement sequence executed

Question 7

association

Hebb’s rule

Answer 7

Hebb’s Rule:
When an axon of Cell A is near enough to excite Cell B and
repeatedly takes part in firing it,
a growth process takes place so that A’s efficiency in firing B is increased.

cells that fire together wire together

Question 8

associative / intermediate phase

Answer 8

Movements fuse into well co-ordinated patterns extraneous movements eliminated
gross errors gradually attenuated
components integrated
Cognitive involvement remains high

Longest phase, lasts a variable amount of time depending on task
Unstable: can be influenced

PT can optimise this phase but it needs intensity

Question 9

autonomous phase

Answer 9

Spatial and temporal factors become highly organised
Component processes become increasingly autonomous or automatic
Conscious introspection can be
detrimental
“paralysis from analysis”
Physiotherapy implications

Question 10

progress: speed accuracy trade off

Answer 10

changing the speed accuracy trade off is a sign of motor learning

Question 11

progress “impedance control”

Answer 11

freeze redundant degrees of freedom
release degrees of freedom
use external forces rather than resist them

Question 12

process orientated model

Answer 12

adequate feedback and knowledge of results
opportunity to practice
adequate design of the learning situation

Question 13

feedback

Answer 13

sensory information that is contingent on having produced a movement

intrinsic / extrinsic

Feedback from the movement performed is compared with the
plan or desired outcome
\_\_>
Discrepancies
-->
Motor program or recall schema is modified
-->
Movement is attempted again

Question 14

predictive control

Answer 14

sensory feedback 
has delays 
reactive 
predictive control 
feed-forward : predict the sensory consequences 
learn from errors 
update motor command 

cerebellum

Question 15

feedback intrinsic and augmented

Answer 15

intrinsic Intrinsic
“Task-intrinsic”, “inherent” Sensory-perceptual information in performing a skill
Natural / inevitable consequence
of movement

Sources: vision, vestibular,
auditory, tactile, proprioceptive

Augmented
Adds to intrinsic feedback External source
Therapist
Technology Essential where intrinsic feedback is impaired

knowledge of results - outcome

knowledge of performance
movement characteristics

Question 16

augmented feedback: timing
concurrent feedback
terminal feedback

Answer 16

concurrent Feedback as the patient performs the task Directs attention away from intrinsic feedback
Good performance Poor retention
Useful if difficulty using intrinsic feedback

Slight delay between task and feedback
Self-evaluation of outcome
Performing different skills can interfere (e.g. dual cognitive / motor task)

Question 17

verbalisation

self feedback

Answer 17

Important in early phase

Talk through action prior to or after

Allows arrival at a conceptualisation of task to be learned

Verbal labelling of error is common

Question 18

instructional techniques

therapist feedback

Answer 18

Used to enhance the learning rate and ultimate proficiency level

Visually: demonstrate
Audibly: give instructions
Manually: used by almost all physios
may enhance initial retention but not long-term

Purpose:
Direct the learner to specific / relevant stimuli
Reduce amount of irrelevant stimuli
Control the presentation of information
(timing, amount of material)

Question 19

role of PT

Answer 19

Movement prescription (diagnose problems, present alternative or solution)

Careful observer of movement

Provide appropriate feedback

Question 20

practice

Answer 20

Necessary condition for motor improvement Physical – movement
Mental – cognitive

How much?
THOUSANDS of repetitions may be necessary
Task-specific training: consider motor control – sequence of events Types of practice
Massed vs Distributed

Question 21

practice schedule

Answer 21

mass practice
Same thing over and over Initially faster learning /
performance (and therefore reward)
Better for closed skill

distributed practice Try things lots of different ways Less initial progress
More frustrating More generalisable Better transferability

Question 22

self controlled practice

Answer 22

Improves learning
Active involvement of learner
Learners are effective in selecting practice conditions conducive
to learning

Self-Controlled feedback improves learning

Question 23

adequate design of learning situation

Answer 23

Transfer of training: Training on one task transferring to training on
another task

(gym v home / ward environment) (gym v football pitch)

Question 24

environment

Answer 24

promote safe independent practice

Question 25

priming nervous system for learning

Answer 25

Aerobic exercise (physical activity) enhances neural plasticity (learning) by:
Increasing blood flow to the brain
Facilitating the release of neurotrophic factors (BDNF)
Improving brain health (brain volume)

Question 26

exercise - goal based aeorbic exercise

Answer 26

increased synaptic strength
increase NTS
increase receptor density
increased dendritic spine formation

improved brain health 
increased trophic factors 
increased blood flow 
increase immune system 
increase neurogenesis 
increase metabolism

strengthened circuitry 
BG
cortex 
thalamus 
cerebellum 
brainstem 

increased functional and structural connectivity in the brain.