Motor Learning In this chapter taken from the Specialist Certification course curriculum, a number of concepts, terms and principles of Motor Learning are addressed. The terms, concepts and principles discussed in the chapter apply across all track and field event areas.
Movement Strategies and Motor Control Motor Learning. Motor learning is a field of sports science that investigates the processes and factors involved in learning skills. In this section we will investigate motor skills, motor control and how we can use this science to improve the effectiveness of our skill teaching schemes. Movement Strategies. Many factors come into play when one attempts to perform even the simplest motor task. Before a movement pattern is initiated and executed, the nature of this movement is decided upon in some manner.
We will call the pattern of movement planned to accomplish the task a “movement strategy”. We will call the process of the formation of this strategy “movement organization”. Theories of Movement Organization. There are two theories governing thought regarding the organization and formation of movement. It is likely that there is some validity to both of these theories, as neither can completely explain all observed phenomena. The Generalized Motor Program Theory. In this view of movement organization, a learned skill exists as a motor program that can be called upon and executed
anytime it is needed. The program may be adapted to various situations and environments to adapt to some changed circumstance, but the basic characteristics of the program exist regardless of the environment in which the skill is performed. The Dynamic Systems Theory. In this view of movement organization, when a skill is performed, movement strategies are organized with respect to many environmental factors. The ability to replicate skills results from repeatedly organizing movement in similar environmental conditions.