Motor Learning Learning Objectives . Upon completion of this lesson, you will be able to explain: . Human Movement System response to internal and external environmental stimuli. Muscle synergies/synergistic dominance . Kinesthesis . Proprioception . Sensorimotor integration . Feedback . Internal vs. External feedback Motor Behavior . Motor Behavior is the Human Movement System response to internal and external environmental stimuli. Motor Behavior Motor Control . Motor Control: How the central nervous system integrates internal and external sensory information with previous experiences to produce a motor response. Motor Control . Muscle Synergies: Groups of muscles that are recruited by the central nervous system to provide movement. Motor Control . Proprioception: The cumulative sensory input to the central nervous system form all mechanoreceptors that sense body position and limb movement. Muscle spindles . Golgi tendon organ . Joint receptors . Proprioception is altered after injury. Core and balance training enhances proprioceptive capabilities. Motor Learning . Motor Learning: Integration of motor control processes through practice and experience, leading to a relatively permanent change in the capacity to produce skilled movements. – How movements are learned and retained for future use. – Repeatedly practicing and providing feedback help in the development of permanent neural representations of motor patterns. – Example: riding a bike. Motor Learning Feedback: The use of sensory information and sensorimotor integration to help the HMS in motor learning. “Perfect practice makes perfect.” Motor Learning Internal feedback (a.k.a. sensory feedback): Sensory information is used by the body to reactively monitor movement and the environment. Application: Instruct clients to use good form when performing activities so that the sensory input is correct and the body will learn to react to it appropriately. Motor Learning . External feedback: Information provided by some external source, such as a health and fitness professional, videotape, mirror, or heart rate monitor, to supplement the internal environment. Motor Learning . Knowledge of Results: informs client about performance outcome. E.g. success of a lift. Knowledge of Performance: informs client about movement quality. E.g. specific feedback about body positions. Best at beginning of learning. Motor Development . Motor Development: The change in motor skill behavior over time throughout the lifespan. Summary . The Human Movement Systems must work together to produce movement (Motor Behavior). – Environmental and sensory information (proprioceptors) is gathered. – The brain interprets the information (sensory motor integration) – The motor response produces efficient movement (motor control) . Repeated practice, as well as internal and external feedback, allows for Motor Learning to occur. .