Theories of Coordination

Question 1

Define Motor Programming

Answer 1

“…a set of muscle commands that are structured before a movement sequence begins
and that allows the entire sequence to be carried out uninfluenced by peripheral
feedback” (Keele, 1968, p.387)

Question 2

Explain the function of Motor Programming

Answer 2

> The ‘structuring’ of a movement sequence takes place in the brain.
A lay term for ‘movement sequence’ is technique.
For each individual technique that a person uses, we require/have a different structure in the brain that is used for the control of that technique.

Question 3

Explain Open Loop Control

Answer 3

 Brain sends the command to muscles, there is no further interaction between the brain and the body.
 The entire movement sequence is organised by the brain and no other information is needed to control the movement.
 Technique therefore happens in a top-down manner, where there is no possibility to change the movement following the onset of the technique.

Question 4

Explain the Closed Loop Control

Answer 4

• The Executive (Memory Trace) predicts/plans the
desired movement
• Effector (Perceptual Trace) sends the motor command
• Feedback is used to compare the actual state
(Effector) of the movement with the desired state
(Executive)
• Movement is updated to support necessary changes

Question 5

Explain the Dynamical Sytems Perspective

Answer 5

• The human body is a complex system
• Coordination emerges from self-organisation
• Movement does not need to be stored in the brain
• Movements can be “soft-assembled” through the
different interacting parts of the human body

Question 6

Explain the Acquisition of Coordination

Answer 6

• The DoF are joined into coordinative structures (Freezing)
• The DoF are controlled and released with skill (Freeing)
• The DoF can be organised in a huge variety of ways
(Exploiting)

Question 7

Explain Schema Theory

Answer 7

• Recognition Schema
– Memory associated with Sensory Information
– What movement is required?
• Recall Schema
– Memory associated with Movement
– Motor command sent to the muscles

Question 8

Who performed a study into Acquisition of Coordination in sport?

Answer 8

Vereijken et al., 1992

Question 9

What did Vereijken et al., 1992 find?

Answer 9

• Novice = rigid movements = Freezing DoF
• Learning = Different coordination
structures (techniques) used = Freeing
DoF
• Many techniques maintained same
centre of mass = Exploiting DoF