Program Overview

EHR420 Motor Control & Learning

This subject will develop students' capability to apply theoretical concepts in motor control and learning to design evidence-based motor skill practice and rehabilitation experiences. The subject is organised into four modules.

Subject Modules

In the first module, students will explore skill acquisition as a field of study and how motor control and learning theory may be applied to enhance professional practice. In the second module, students will explore fundamental concepts related to motor behaviour and examine motor skill classification, measurement of motor performance, and individual differences. In the third module, students will investigate factors affecting motor control, including central and sensory contributions to motor control, theories of motor control, performance characteristics of motor skills, action preparation, attention, and memory. In the fourth module, students will explore concepts in motor learning, assessment, and learn to develop motor skill interventions.

Subject Information

Grading System

• HD/FL

Duration

• One session

School

• School of Exercise Science, Sport and Health

Enrolment Restrictions

• Available to students in:
  • Graduate Diploma in Exercise and Sport Science
  • or as approved by the Course Director

Assumed Knowledge

• Ideally, students would have prior competence in anatomy and physiology prior to undertaking this subject.

Subject Relationships

• EHR214 Paired Subject

Incompatible Subjects

• EHR214

Learning Outcomes

Upon successful completion of this subject, students should:

• be able to describe the discipline of skill acquisition and applications of motor learning and control theory in professional practice settings
• be able to analyse the demands placed on performers during motor skill execution according to task requirements and environmental context
• be able to distinguish between measures of performance outcome and performance production
• be able to explain how motor abilities influence motor performance and skill acquisition
• be able to describe central contributions to motor performance and skill acquisition and predict the effect of disease or damage to neuromotor structures on skilled motor behaviour
• be able to describe sensory contributions to motor performance and skill acquisition and predict the effect of disease or damage to sensory systems on skilled motor behaviour
• be able to modify situational and personal factors affecting motor performance outcomes
• be able to apply strategies to direct attention and enhance motor memory in motor skill settings
• be able to predict performer and performance changes that accompany skill acquisition
• be able to develop and apply procedures to assess motor performance and skill acquisition in workplace settings
• be able to select appropriate methods of instruction and feedback in motor skill instruction settings
• be able to design appropriate motor skill practice schedules based on performer, task, and environmental characteristics in workplace settings
• be able to select and implement appropriate types of motor skill practice based on performer, task, and environmental characteristics in workplace settings

Syllabus

This subject will cover the following topics:

• Classification of motor skills
• Motor abilities and individual differences
• Neuromotor basis of motor control
• Sensory contributions to motor control
• Theories of motor control
• Characteristics of functional skills
• Action preparation
• Attention and memory
• Assessment of motor skill learning
• Stages of motor skill learning
• Performer and performance changes with motor skill learning
• Transfer of motor skill learning
• Motor skill instruction and performer feedback
• Designing motor skill instruction sessions
• Types of motor skill practice

Residential School

This subject contains a 1-day Compulsory Residential School. Distance education students are required to attend a Residential School scheduled during the mid-Session Residential School period to access laboratory facilities. This Residential School will run consecutively with Schools for the subjects EHR411, EHR412, EHR414, and EHR423. Each distance education student will be required for three (3) days, which will include laboratory classes on each day for each student.

Special Resources

Distance education students are required to attend a three (3) day Residential School scheduled during the mid-Session Residential School period on CSU Bathurst Campus.