Strategies for Teaching & Learning Movement

Question 1

Define motor control

Answer 1

• An area of studying dealing with the understanding of the neural, physiological & behavioral aspects of movement

Question 2

Define motor performance

Answer 2

• The ability to perform a specific movement pattern efficiently

Question 3

Define motor learning

Answer 3

• The ability to perform the movement efficiently over time & use the movement in a new situation
• Retention and transfer

Question 4

Describe a centralized model of motor control

Answer 4

• Predominant historical theory of motor control
• Focus placed on sensory input as a driver of motor output
• Movement dysfunction = nervous system lesion
• Therapists would provide sensory feedback (facilitation/inhibition) to assist with control of movement

Question 5

Describe distributed model of motor control

Answer 5

• Interaction of elements, physical & neural components
• Motor control depends on nervous, muscular, & skeletal systems

Question 6

What is the best theory

Answer 6

• Currently is shifted toward systems/distributed approach
• Movement occurs as a result of interaction of the task, organism, & environment

Question 7

What are the stages of motor learning

Answer 7

• Cognitive
• Associative
• Autonomous

Question 8

Describe the cognitive stage of motor learning

Answer 8

• The learner is trying to understand how to perform the task
• Distinguished by a series of trials & errors
• Feedback is key to determine effective movement patterns

Question 9

Describe the associative stage of motor learning

Answer 9

• The movement becomes more coordinated
• There are few errors

Question 10

Describe the autonomous stage of motor learning

Answer 10

• Task no longer requires cognitive effort

Question 11

Define a closed task

Answer 11

• Fixed environmental demands
• Ex: kicking a stationary ball, walking in parallel bars, controlled

Question 12

Define an open task

Answer 12

• Variable environment requiring adaptation of the task
• Ex: a soccer game, walking in a busy corridor, uncontrolled

Question 13

Define discrete tasks

Answer 13

• Relate to defined events
• Ex: locking brakes on wheelchair, opening a car door

Question 14

Define continuous tasks

Answer 14

• Do not have well-defined boundaries
• Ex: propelling a wheelchair, driving a car

Question 15

Define stability tasks

Answer 15

• Demands of task require a stable base of support
• Ex: sitting, standing

Question 16

Define mobility tasks

Answer 16

• Demands associated with a mobile base of support
• Ex: walking, running

Question 17

Factors that affect performance

Answer 17

• Number of alternative responses (Hicks Law)
• Number of movements required
• Accuracy (Fitts’s Law)
• Practice (decreases response time)
• Complexity of final position
• Feedback
• Focus/attention

Question 18

Define Power Law of Practice

Answer 18

• The absolute amount of time of practice is related to learning

Question 19

What are the pre-practice conditions

Answer 19

• Goal setting
• Modeling (demonstrations)
• Readiness & motivation

Question 20

Define massed practice

Answer 20

• Practice time > rest time
• Associated with over fatigue & limited learning

Question 21

Define distributed practice

Answer 21

• Practice time < rest time
• Associated with improved concentration & retention of the skill

Question 22

Define constant practice

Answer 22

• Uniform practice
• Same skill, exact same way

Question 23

Define variable practice

Answer 23

• Conditions (environment) & type of practice vary between attempts
• Requires increased processing of the task

Question 24

Define blocked/repeated practice

Answer 24

• Skills practices independently
• Used during early skill acquisition/cognitive phase of learning

Question 25

Define random practice

Answer 25

• Multiple skills in varying patterns
• Used to improve retention
• Assists with learning of the skill to allow for transfer to novel conditions

Question 26

Define whole practice

Answer 26

• Task is practices as a whole
• Good for discrete tasks

Question 27

Define part practice

Answer 27

• Task is broken into component parts & patient practices selected components prior to the whole task
• Good for serial tasks

Question 28

Define discovery practice

Answer 28

• Trial & error
• Critical for later retention
• Assists with transfer of the skill

Question 29

Define guided practice

Answer 29

• Patient is physically guided through the task
• Improves early performance
• Assists in understanding task demands

Question 30

Define mental practice

Answer 30

• Visualizing the task
• Increases speed of learning a new task
• Increases accuracy of the task

Question 31

Define intrinsic feedback

Answer 31

• Feedback through the sensory system
• Used during trial & error

Question 32

Define extrinsic feedback

Answer 32

• Knowledge of performance: feedback about the movement pattern
• Knowledge of results: feedback regarding the outcome of the movement

Question 33

Describe feedback for young children

Answer 33

• Self referenced goals
• Increased reinforcement & encouragement may be needed
• Limit verbal instruction & focus on modeling: use plain language
• Encourage patient too guess performance outcome

Question 34

Describe feedback for older adults

Answer 34

• Avoid negative feedback
• Avoid tasks that appear too difficult (some adults are adverse to error/failure)
• Provide additional external cues if sensorimotor systems are limited
• Avoid too much variety