Motor Control/Learning

Control vs Learning

What's the difference between the two?

Motor Control

is the process of how the neuromuscular system activates and coordinates with muscles to perform a specific motor skill (O'Reilly, 2021).

Motor Learning

is the aquisition of new motor skills or the improvement of existing motor skills. This includes, but is not limited to, improving the smoothness and accuracy of certain movements (O'Reilly, 2021).

The 3 Stages of Motor Learning

Cognitive

High cognitive activity is involved
Movements tend to be slow and inconsistent
Most of the movements are controlled consciously

Associative

Less cognitive activity is involved
Movements are more efficient and consistent
Some, but not all, movements are still controlled consciously

Autonomous

Little to no cognitive activity is involved
Movements are smooth, fast, efficient, and consistent
Almost all movements are controlled automatically
Attention to movement is largely focused on self-made choices

3 Motor Learning Theories to Apply to Your Training

Adam's Closed Loop Theory

Involves performing the same exact movement repeatedly
Requires the participant to fix errors every time the movement is reproduced
Every new attempt tries to fine-tune the movement
"Practice makes perfect"

Example:

When learning how to shoot a basketball, every new attempt usually...

Adjusts strength of shot
Adjusts wrist movement when shooting
Adjusts hand placement on ball
Adjusts foot placement before shooting
Adjusts jump height
And much more

Schmidt's Schema Theory

Involves developing adaptive reflexes to varying circumstances
Focuses on learning from past experiences and outcomes to make the most optimal movement or decision
Reaction-based motor learning
Different scenarios call for different movements

Examples:

Knowing where to place your hands when a ball is coming towards you based on its trajectory
Knowing how to adjust your swing based on a ball's trajectory
Knowing to keep your guard up when someone attempts to punch you

Ecological Theory

Involves identifying perceptual cues to develop appropriate motor responses
Perception guides one's actions
NOT REFLEX-BASED (separates itself from Schmidt's Schema Theory)
Observe, process information, and then act upon it

Examples:

Deciding whether to shoot the basketball or go for a lay-up based on one's court positioning
Deciding on how much strength one must use when picking up a weight based on its size
Deciding on how hard to throw a ball based on the receiver's distance

References

Kal, E., Prosée, R., Winters, M., & van der Kamp, J. (2018). Does implicit motor learning lead to greater automatization of motor skills compared to explicit motor learning? A systematic review. PLOS ONE, 13(9). https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0203591

O’Reilly, N. (2021). Motor Control and Learning. Physiopedia. https://www.physio-pedia.com/Motor_Control_and_Learning

Skurvydas, A., Satas, A., Valanciene, D., Mamkus, G., Mickeviciene, D., Majauskiene, D., & Brazaitis, M. (2020). “Two sides of the same coin”: Constant Motor learning speeds up, whereas variable motor learning stabilizes, speed–accuracy movements. European Journal of Applied Physiology, 120(5), 1027–1039. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00421-020-04342-4