Motor Learning Principles and Human Movement Dynamics

Theoretical Foundations of Motor Learning

Learning Without Error and Direct Instruction

Learning Without Error: This approach aims to minimize the possibility of mistakes by pupils, especially given the desired result. Direct Instruction is a teaching technique based on the existence of defined and proven solutions, communicated by the professor. While trial-and-error learning is valued, the process is often more expensive than the result, though potentially more rewarding and creative.

Associationist and Gestalt Theories in Motor Learning

• Associationist Current: Focuses on predictable responses to a given stimulus.
• Gestaltism: A precursor to cognitive psychology, it assesses information processing much more than just the amount of information a person can handle.

Adaptive Models of Motor Control

Adaptive models compare the human to a computer, outlining key mechanisms:

1. Mechanism of Perception: Attending to all aspects of the environment.
2. Mechanism of Decision: Selecting or generating a motor response compatible with the environment.
3. Mechanism of Execution: Executing the programmed movement.
4. Mechanism of Control: Utilizing feedback for adjustment.

Understanding Motor Movements and Skills

Types of Body Movements

• Non-Locomotor: If the body does not move in space.
• Locomotor: If the body moves from one point to another.

Three types of basic movements include:

• Translation: All body parts moving at the same speed and in the same direction.
• Rotation: The body moves in concentric circles around an axis.
• Oscillation: The body is balanced from front to back.

Domains of Space in Motor Control

The four domains of space are:

• The Internal Environment: Refers to the body's internal state.
• The Physical Space: Refers to all observable events.
• Social Space: The space of social identification and interaction.
• Cognitive Space: The realm of thoughts, symbols, ideas, and conceptualizations.

Developing Motor Skills

Motor skills encompass all movements that an individual is able to perform voluntarily. These fundamental abilities are called basic motor skills, which can be expanded upon (e.g., reaching, striking). A combination of various basic skills gives rise to more complex and specialized movements. When basic and specialized motor skills are refined for specific activities, they are then referred to as sports skills.

Classifying Motor Actions

• Discrete Motor Actions: Have a clear and specific purpose, often a single movement (e.g., a jump, a flexion movement).
• Serial Motor Actions: Consist of more than one movement but are easy to implement (e.g., skipping).
• Complex Motor Actions: Require high speed, coordination, and precision (e.g., a high jump).

Planes of Motion in Human Movement

• Frontal Plane: Divides the body into anterior (front) and posterior (back) sections.
• Sagittal Plane: Divides the body into right and left sections.
• Transverse Plane: Divides the body into superior (top) and inferior (bottom) sections.