Overview of Motor Behavior and its Applications Flashcards
What does Motor Behavior study?
How motor skills are learned, controlled, and developed
What is the purpose of studying Motor Behavior?
To assist people as they practice and experience physical activity
What are the 3 areas of motor behavior?
motor learning,
motor control,
motor development
What knowledge does Motor Behavior draw from?
- neurophysiology (neuromotor level) and
- psychology (behavioral level)
What is neurophysiology?
physiology of the nervous system
What is psychology?
the scientific study of behavior and mental processes
What is Motor Learning?
Process of improving performance through practice.
What are the two key principles of Motor Learning?
- Correct practice improves performance and supports learning
- Augmented feedback enhances practice and thereby learning
What is Augmented Feedback?
External information enhancing practice and learning.
What is Motor Control?
Seeks to understand the neural, physical, and behavioral aspects of movement
What are the key principles of Motor Control?
- The brain uses the central nervous system to initiate and control the muscles that make the desired movements
- One goal of most movements is to rely on the decision-making centers in the brain as little as possible once the movement is initiated
What is motor development?
Focuses on how motor skills are developed; life span approach
What are examples of Motor Behavior movements?
Babies learning to use a fork/spoon
Surgeons controlling a scalpel
Children learning to roller skate
What is the Parachute Reflex?
extension of both arms when thrust downward in the prone position
What is the Palmer Reflex?
A spontaneous grasp made by an infant when the palm is rubbed.
Why use Motor Behavior?
Better understand motor skills across the lifespan to gain more knowledge of who we are working with
Applications focus on what, how, and how much to practice
Guides us in providing better situations for learning and practice
What do Motor Behaviorists do?
Teach and do research at universities
Work in research facilities not affiliated with universities clinical settings, military settings
e.g., clinical settings at hospitals, industrial settings, military settings
What are some careers in Motor Behavior?
- Physical therapist
- Physical Education teacher
- Coaching/Fitness instructor
- Occupational therapist
- Chiropractor
- Speech pathologist
- Ergonomist
