Motor Control & Motor Learning Theories - Simplified Notes
Motor Control - Definition
Motor Control = Ability to regulate or direct the mechanisms essential to movement. Involves neural, physical
& behavioral aspects.
Nature of Movement - 'ITE' Mnemonic
Movement arises from interaction of:
- Individual
- Task
- Environment
Motor Plan vs. Motor Program
Motor Plan = Blueprint of movement
Motor Program = Pre-structured commands
Mnemonic: 'Plan before you Program'
Open vs. Closed Loop System
Open Loop: Pre-programmed, no feedback
Closed Loop: Uses feedback for correction
Mnemonic: 'Open is set, Closed resets'
Motor Control Theories - 'Really High Moms Do Silly Dramatic Exercises'
1. Reflex Theory
2. Hierarchical Theory
3. Motor Programming Theory
4. System Theory
5. Dynamic Action Theory
6. Ecological Theory
7. Parallel Distributed Processing Theory
Motor Control & Motor Learning Theories - Simplified Notes
Motor Learning - Definition and Mnemonic
Motor Learning = Practice-related, relatively permanent skill acquisition
Mnemonic: 'PRIM' - Permanent, Result from practice, Inferred, Motor skill
Forms of Learning - 'NAP'D'
N: Non-associative (habituation, sensitization)
A: Associative (classical & operant conditioning)
P: Procedural (automatic)
D: Declarative (conscious recall)
Feedback Types - 'KR vs KP'
KR = Knowledge of Results
KP = Knowledge of Performance
Mnemonic: 'KR = Result, KP = Performance'
Feedforward
Using past feedback to improve future performance. E.g., cricket shots.
Motor Learning Theories - 'All Smart Experts Focus'
1. Adams' Closed Loop
2. Schmidt's Schema
3. Ecological Theory
Stages of Motor Learning
Fitts & Posner - 'CAA': Cognitive, Associative, Autonomous
System Model - 'NAE': Novice, Advanced, Expert
Gentile's - 'UF': Understand, Fixate
Adams' - Verbal-Motor, Motor
Motor Control & Motor Learning Theories - Simplified Notes
Factors Affecting Learning - 'I SEE'
I: Internal (stage, deficits)
S: Spatial factors
E: Environment
E: Execution/task type
Practice Types - 'My Dad Brings Real Mango Pickles'
Massed, Distributed, Blocked, Random, Mental, Part/Whole
Strategies to Enhance Learning
Guide -> Decision making -> Feedback -> Practice variation -> Transfer -> Real-world tasks
