Motor Control
Definition
"The process of initiating, directing, and grading purposeful voluntary movement". [2]
Theories of Motor Control
The organization and production of movement is a complex problem, so the study of motor control has
been approached from a wide range of disciplines, including psychology, cognitive science,
biomechanics and neuroscience. The control of human movement has been described in many different
ways with many different models of Motor Control put forward throughout the 19th & 20th Centuries.
Motor Control Theories include production of reflexive, automatic, adaptive, and voluntary movements
and the performance of efficient, coordinated, goal-directed movement patterns which involve multiple
body systems (input, output, and central processing) and multiple levels within the nervous system.
Within the field of Neurology many textbooks and researcher recommend adoption of a systems model
of Motor Control incorporating neurophysiology, biomechanics and motor learning principles which also
considers learning solutions based on the interaction between the patient, the task and the
environment. As a therapist it is these key areas that we need to be aware of when planning our
interventions. As therapists we can change the environment, or the task in such a way as to enable our
oatients to achieve their goals. [3] [1]
MOTOR CONTROL THEORIES AUTHOR DATE PREMISE
Movement is controlled by stimulus-response.
Reflex Theory Sherrington 1906 Reflexes are basis for movement - Reflexes are
combined into actions that create behavior.
Dynamical Systems Theory Bernstein 1967 Movement emerges to control degrees of freedom.
Patterns of movements self-organize within the
characteristics of environmental conditions and the
Turvey 1977 existing body systems of the individual.
Functional synergies are developed naturally through
practice and experience and help solve the problem
Kelso & Tuller 1984 of coordinating multiple muscles and joint
movements at once.
De-emphasize commands from CNS in controlling
Thelen 1987 movement and emphasize physical explanations for
movement.
Hierarchical Theories Adams 1971 Cortical centers control movement in a top-down
manner throughout the nervous system.
Closed-loop Mode: Sensory feedback is needed and
used to control the movement.
Voluntary movementts initiated by “Will” (higher
levels). Reflexive movements dominate only after
CNS damage.
Motor Program Theory Schmidt 1976 Adaptive, exible motor programs (MPs) and
generalized motor programs (GMPs) exist to control
actions that have common characteristics.
Higher-level Motor Programs - Store rules for
generating movements.
Ecological Theories Gibson & Pick 2000 The person, the task, and the environment interact to
in uence motor behavior and learning. The interaction
of the person with any given environment provides
perceptual information used to control movement.
The motivation to solve problems to accomplish a
desired movement task goal facilitates learning.
Systems Model Shumway-Cook 2007 Multiple body systems overlap to activate synergies
for the production of movements that are organized
around functional goals.
Considers interaction of the person with the
environment.
Goal-directed Behavior - Task Orientated
Motor Learning
Definition
1. " The process of acquiring a skill by which the learner, through practice and assimilation, refines and
makes automatic the desired movement".
2. "An internal neurologic process that results in the ability to produce a new motor task". [2]
Theories of Motor Learning
Motor learning is a “set of internal processes associated with practice or experience leading to relatively
permanent changes in the capability for skilled behavior.” In other words, motor learning is when
complex processes in the brain occur in response to practice or experience of a certain skill resulting in
changes in the central nervous system that allow for production of a new motor skill. It often involves
improving the smoothness and accuracy of movements and is obviously necessary for developing c; but
it is also important for calibrating simple movements like reflexes, as parameters of the body and
environment change over time. Motor learning research often considers variables that contribute to
motor program formation (i.e., underlying skilled motor behaviour), sensitivity of error-detection
processes, and strength of movement schemas. There are many different theories of Motor Learning. [3]
[1]
MOTOR LEARNING THEORY AUTHOR DATE PREMISE
Closed Loop - Sensory feedback is used for the
Adams Closed Loop Theory Adams 1971 ongoing production of skilled movement
Slow movements
Relies on sensory feedback (Sherrington)
Blocked Practice
Errors = Bad! Needs to be accurate!
Memory Trace - Initiation of movement
Perceptual Trace - Built up over a period of practice
& is the reference of correctness.
Improvements = Increased capability of performer to
use the reference in closed loop
Schmidt's Schema Theory Schmidt 1975 Open Loop
Schema - Abstract memory representation for events
→ RULE
Generalized Motor Program - Rules that allow for the
generation of novel movements
Rapid, ballistic movements = recall memory
withmotor programs and parameters to carry out
movement without peripheral feedback
Variability of Practice → Improve Motor Learning
Ecological Theory Newell 1991 Based on Systems & Ecological Motor Control
Theories
Motor Learnining = Increases coordination between
perception and action thru task & environmental
constraints.
Perceptual-motor workspace - Identifies mvmts and
perceptual cues most relevant to performance of task
Optimal task-relevant mapping of perception & action
→ NO Rules!
Stages of Motor Learning
Stages of Characteristics Attention Demands Activities
Learning
Movements are slow, Attention to understand what Practise sessions are:
Cognitive inconsistent and must move to produce a
inefficient. specific result. performance focused
Considerable cognitive Large parts of the movement less variable
activity is required. are controlled consciously incorporate a clear mental image
(technical & visual).
Associative Movements are more Some parts of the movements Practise sessions link
fluid, reliable and efficient are controlled consciously, performance and results,
Less cognitive activity is some automatically. conditions can be varied.
required Clear Mental Image = Accurate
Performance
Autonomous Movements are accurate, Movement is largely Practise sessions are more
consistent and efficient. controlled automatically results orientated
Little or no cognitive Attention can be focused on Focus is on greater range of
activity is required. tactical choices movement, speed, acceleration
and use of skill in a novel
situation.
