Open Loop Theory (Level 1 control)

This theory states the following:

 Decisions are made in the brain before performing the skill

 All information for one movement is sent in a single message
 The message is received by the muscles which perform the
movement
 Feedback may or may not be available but it doesn’t control the
action
This theory accounts well for fast continuous ballistic movements (e.g. a
golf swing), as there is little time to react or change your movement. It
does not work so well for slower movements which may involve
reactions and repositioning (such as a gymnast on the balance beam).

Closed-Loop Theory

On the other hand, this theory explains slow movements well but not fast
movements.

 Decisions are made in the brain

 Not all of the information is sent together
 Information is received by the muscles to initiate the movement
 Feedback is always available and is vital to correct movement
patterns and adjust to changing needs
Once the motor programme to be performed has been selected, the
movement has to be regulated and adapted. The open and closed-loop
theory suggest we control the movement on 3 different levels,
depending on the extent to which the central nervous system is involved.
 Control element
This determines the action to be taken as a result of the
input of the required value signal to the system.
2.
Correction element
This has an input from the controller and gives an output of
some action designed to change the variable being
controlled.
3.
Process
This is the process of which a variable is being controlled.
With open loop, there is no changing of the control action to
account for any disturbances which change the output
variable. Figure 4.8 shows an example of an open-loop system
which a motor is used to drive a gearbox and so rotate an aerial
dish picking up signals from a satellite. With open loop, changes
in set point have to be used to accommodate disturbances or
changes in loading. So if the aerial is required to track a satellite
while a person could keep adjusting the input set value what is
really required is a closed-loop system in which feedback about
the actual position of the satellite is fed back to auto