University of Hertfordshire MS - 2011/12

PRINCIPLES OF MOTOR

LEARNING

Movement studies 2011

Slides adapted from 2010 produced by SP

LEARNING OUTCOMESFollowing this session and appropriate independent study the student should be able to:

Define the term of Motor Learning Acquire awareness of the basic characteristics

and attributes of Motor Learning List the stages that are involved in the

successful undertaking and completion of a simple task, and briefly discuss the components/key features that may be involved

Acquire awareness of the basic practice conditions that may be employed to facilitate Motor Learning

University of Hertfordshire MS - 2011/12

University of Hertfordshire MS - 2011/12

MOTOR LEARNING

Broadly 2 types of movement: Reflex & Learnt Motor learning primarily relates to Learned Mvts

Learning is the process of acquiring knowledge. Motor learning is the acquisition or

reacquisition of movement

Motor learning emerges from a complex of perception, cognition and action processes, and from the interaction of the individual, the task and the environment

IIndividual

EEnvironment

M

MOVEMENT

Figure adapted from Shumway-Cook and Wollacott, 2001;pp2

University of Hertfordshire MS - 2011/12

TTask

University of Hertfordshire MS - 2011/12

MOTOR LEARNING “Motor learning is a set of processes

associated with practice or experience leading to relatively permanent changes in the capability for movement” (Schmidt and Lee, 1999:pp264)

This definition is synthesized by four distinctive characteristics of what is termed as “learning”:

(1) it is the process of acquiring the capability for the production of skilled actions

(2) it is the direct product of practice or experience (3) it cannot be observed directly (4) it is relatively permanent

University of Hertfordshire MS - 2011/12

STAGES OF A TASK

1. Idea

2. Planning

3. Execution

4. Evaluation

Task IndividualEnvironmentPast Experience

DuringEnd

University of Hertfordshire MS - 2011/12

STAGES OF MOTOR LEARNING In the early phase motor patterns are unskilled,

feedback dependent & there is high demand of cognitive attention.

With practice, accuracy & velocity of actions increase, whereas feedback processing becomes less important & move towards expertise

1. Initial stage Slow performance under close sensory guidance, irregular shape of

movements, variable time of performance Memory & movement pattern transfers Trial and error

2. Intermediate stage Gradual learning of the sensory-motor map, increase in speed &

success

3. Advanced stage Rapid, automated, skillful performance, isochronous movements, whole

field sensory control

University of Hertfordshire MS - 2011/12

CONSIDER THIS!

To become an expert on a skill, 10000hrs of practice are required

If one practices for 5h/day for a whole year, then: 5 X 365 = 1825hrs

To achieve 10000h, one needs to practice at the same rate (5hrs/day) for ~5.5 years!!!

How often and for how long do we see our patients???

University of Hertfordshire MS - 2011/12

AMOUNT OF PRACTICE The amount of practice a person devotes to

a skill is important in learning a motor skill.

More practice is assumed to be better than less practice.

The amount of practice is not the sole critical variable influencing motor skill acquisition

“Practice does not make perfect; perfect practice makes prefect performance.”

University of Hertfordshire MS - 2011/12

TASK 1

Write your name or signature with your non-dominant hand.

Do this 20 times, and see how your writing is improving.

Compare the first with your last trial.

University of Hertfordshire MS - 2011/12

HOW TO PRESCRIBE PRACTICE

How to use an allotted amount of time within and between practice sessions?

Massed (rest between sessions small or none)

Distributed (rest between sessions longer)

Is it better to have longer (mass) practices than shorter (distributive) more frequent practices ???

University of Hertfordshire MS - 2011/12

DISTRIBUTION OF PRACTICE

Effects on performanceThe longer the rest period the better the

performance

Effects on learningThe longer the rest period the better the

learning

Time trade-off:Massed: reduced benefits per time in

training, but requires the least total time

VS. Distributed: results in the most learning per

time in training, but requires the most total time to complete

University of Hertfordshire MS - 2011/12

BLOCKED VS. RANDOM PRACTICE

Blocked: a sequence in which all trials on one task are done together

Random: the same task is never repeated on consecutive trials

Same number of trials, but different order.

Evidence suggests that practicing a number of tasks in a randomized order is the most successful means of achieving stable learning and retention.

University of Hertfordshire MS - 2011/12

PART VS. WHOLE PRACTICE

Closed VS. Open skill practice

Breaking a motor skill down into smaller parts

Success of part or whole practice depends on the task

Serial tasks: practicing difficult parts separately. Allows considerable transfer of the part to the whole task – backward chaining

Continuous tasks: usually involve coordination so part practice, does not transfer to the whole task – e.g. Walking TO…….

Clutch/throttle control & Steering a car

University of Hertfordshire MS - 2011/12

AUGMENTED FEEDBACK

IntrinsicResults from the learner (vision,

proprioception, cognitive processes)

ExtrinsicResults from an outside source (physio,

coach etc)

Feedback important for learning (especially during early stages) but can cause dependency

University of Hertfordshire MS - 2011/12

TASK 2

In your groups of four, have three people look at an image for 30 secs

Then:One person will try to copy the image

The second person will copy the image whilst being blindfolded, but someone will be giving feedback.

The third person will do the same but whilst being blindfolded. NO CHEATING!!!

University of Hertfordshire MS - 2011/12

REVIEW THE IMAGES

So what did we find out?

Relate this to motor learning and in particular intrinsic, extrinsic & no feedback

Dependency ???

University of Hertfordshire MS - 2011/12

ANY QUESTIONS ??

Thank you for listening & participating