THEORIES OF

MOTOR LEARNING
Presented by
Tanisha Khandelwal
Nandini zore
There is tremendous enthusiasm among therapist
for critically examining the models upon which
much of clinical practice is based. Therapists are
recognizing the limitations of past theories and
the expanding possibilities of new solutions
based on new models of motor control and
recovery of function.
There will be some limitations and possible clinical
limitations.
HIERARCHIAL THEORY
• This is older theory of motor control, in
which control was viewed as proceeding only
in a descending, top down direction from
higher to lower centers, with cortex always
in control.
• Multiple descending systems are engaged for
control movement and posture. These
include corticospinal/corticobulbar, medial
and lateral descending pathway.
 Example:
In a typical family system, the parents have
the most authority, followed by the children,
then followed by the pets.
REFLEX THEORY
Theoretical assumptions
 Reflexes function as building blocks of complex
motor behaviors.
 Reflexes work together or in sequence to achieve
a common purpose
 Reflexes form the basis for purposeful movement.
 A motor unit combines with other motor units to
form the basis of an individual's motor behavior.
 Thus, according to the theory, reflexes are
essential to behavior and it is not possible for the
nervous system to generate movement in the
absence of sensory input.
Limitations
 Theory does not account for human's ability to
produce novel movement.
 Theory does not explain fast movements that
prevent or greatly limit the intensity of
sensory feedback from each preceding
movement in a movement sequence.
 The reflex cannot be considered the basic unit
of behavior if both spontaneous and voluntary
movements, are recognized as acceptable
classes of behavior, since the reflex must be
activated by an outside agent.
 Theory does not adequately explain and
predict movement that occurs in the absence
of a sensory stimulus. More recently, it has
been shown that animals can move in a
relatively coordinated fashion in the absence
of sensory input.
 Reflex chaining model fails to explain the
fact that a single stimulus can result in
varying responses depending on context and
descending commands.
Clinical Implications
Identification of atypical presence or
persistence of primitive reflexes may be used
to predict movement and function in an
individual with nervous system dysfunction.
Intervention: Methods to reduce hypertonicity
secondary to atypical or persistent primitive
reflexes may be used to improve motor
control in an adult with CNS dysfunction.
Example:
If we put our hand on a hot stove, a reflex
cause us to immediately remove our hand
before a message even gets to our brain.
Other protective reflexes are blinking when
something flies toward our eyes.
REFLEX HIERARCHICAL THEORY
Theoretical Assumptions:
 Higher levels of the CNS elicit successive
control over lower levels in a vertical order,
i.e. top down. In a strict vertical hierarchy,
lines of control do not cross and there is
never bottom up control.
 Motor control arises from reflexes that are
nested within hierarchically organized levels
of the CNS
 Pathology of the brain may result in
persistence of primitive reflexes.
Limitations:
 Theory does not explain dominance of lower-
level reflexes with increased environmental
demand referred as "bottom-up"
phenomenon.
 Role of reflexes in motor control has been
modified; reflexes are considered to be one
of many determinants of motor control.
 Current view is that each level of the CNS is
able to act upon other levels depending on
the motor task or demand.
Clinical Implications:
Reflex assessment profiles may be used to
estimate the level of neural maturation and
predict functional ability and to document
the presence of persistent and dominating
primitive and pathological reflexes which
interfere with normal movement.
Intervention: Strategies are aimed at
modifying reflex action to improve function;
however successful modification may not
always prove the individual's motor
performance or purposeful movement.
MOTOR PROGRAMMING THEORY:

Theoretical Assumptions:
 A motor pattern can be elicited by sensory
stimuli (external stimuli) or by central processes
(internal stimuli)
 Movement is possible when reflex action is
absent
 Sensory input has an important role in
modulating action but is not essential in driving
movement.
 Motor programs are composed of CPGs that are
specific stereotypic and hardwired neural
connections, CPGs are thought to have ability to
a)Modify and adapt motor behavior to fit the
purpose of a movement (usually related to
coordinated rhythmic movements such as
chewing, breathing, and walking);
b)Override reflexive action that hampers the
purpose of an anticipated movement.
c)Control joint stiffness by enhancing action of
flexor and extensor synergies; and
d)Influence motor planning through visual
motor and perceptual processes.
Limitations:
 Theory considers Central pattern generators
(CPGs, musculoskeletal variables) as sole or
primary determinants of motor actions.
 Theory does not provide a developmental
guideline for normal motor skill acquisition.
Clinical Implications:
Identification of CPGs may be combined with
reflex profile assessments to explain
abnormal or disordered motor control
Intervention:
Strategies to enable relearning of correct
motor "rules" for movement and for
movements important to a purposeful task.
Example:
The motor program for a cricket shot stores
the subroutines in the correct order.
Motor program are the way in which our brain
control our movements.
SYSTEMS THEORY
Theoretical Assumptions:
 Understanding of neural control of movement
cannot occur without an understanding of the
characteristics of the system you are moving,
and the external and internal forces acting on
the body.
 The entire body is viewed as a mechanical
system subject to external forces (such as
gravity) and internal forces (such as inertia)
 During movement, the amount of force acting
on the body will change as potential and
kinetic energy change
 The brain controls muscle groups rather than
individual units
 The body as a mechanical system, has many
degrees of freedom that are hierarchically
controlled by higher levels of the CNS; higher
levels of the nervous system activate lower
levels; lower levels of the nervous system
activate synergies; synergistic movement
patterns produce purposeful motor actions.
 Synergies make possible nearly every
movement.
Limitations:
Theory base does not address the interaction
of the organism with the environment.
Clinical Implications:
Musculoskeletal system and neural system are
evaluated to determine effect on motor
control.
Intervention: Strategies that focus on
impairments within individual motor control
systems and interacting systems.
Example
If the purchasing department does not acquire
the right quantity and quality of inputs, the
production department wont be able to do
its job.
DYNAMIC SYSTEM THEORY

Theoretical Assumptions:
 Emphasizes process rather than product
 Places neural maturation and other
cooperative systems that promote motor
control on an equal plane.
 Environment is as important as the organism.
 Postulated existence of eight subsystems
instrumental in the acquisition of motor
development.
a)Pattern generation for reciprocal lower limb
activity
b)Reciprocal muscle activity of flexor and
extensor muscle groups
c)Extensor muscle strength to oppose strength
d)Body size and composition.
e)Antigravity control of erect posture
f)Decoupling of early reciprocal lower limb
movements.
g)Visual perception to assist in movement
about the environment.
h)Motivation and anticipation to participate in
a purposeful task.
Limitations:
 Theory appears to presume that the nervous
system has a relatively unimportant role in
the acquisition of motor skills.
 Theory does not provide guidelines for motor
development.
Clinical Implications:
Assessment of the physical and dynamical
subsystems provides basis for an individual's
ability to regain motor control.
Intervention: Strategies to adjust or adapt
physical and environmental expectations for
movement will facilitate motor control, for
example, if velocity of movement is altered,
the momentum derived from increased speed
in movement may assist an individual with
muscle weakness to move with greater ease.
Example:
The mathematical models that describe the
swinging of a clock pendulum, the flow of
water in a pipe, and the number of fish each
spring in a lake. A dynamic system has a
state determined by a collection of real
numbers, or more generally by a set of points
in an appropriate state space.
THANK YOU