Motor Control Issues

Nota:

• example: simple task of reaching for a glass

1. DOF definition

   Nota:

   • Dof= the number of parameters of the system that may vary independently
2. Occurs at numerous levels

   Nota:

   • Bones, joints, muscles, motor units, neurons
3. Nikolai Bernstein (1967)
4. More DOF than needed, how do we select one?
   1. Complex movement coordination
   2. changes associated with learning
5. Acquisition

   Nota:

   • Process of mastering redundant DOF of the moving organ, in other words, its conversion to a controllable system.
6. Redundancy

   Nota:

   • example: hammering
   1. Control

      Nota:

      • How to harness DOF
   2. Flexibility

      Nota:

      • adapt to change in environments

Nota:

• Sequencing and order of movement behaviors

1. Can occur over different time scales
   1. Speaking

      Nota:

      • e.g. syllable words, sentences, etc.
   2. Sport

      Nota:

      • e.g. gymnastics
2. Action Slips

   Nota:

   • prepare action plans in advance, not singularly
3. Coarticulation

   Nota:

   • Preparing for subsequent movements
4. example

   Nota:

   • inverting plastic cups in a correct sequence as fast as possible

Nota:

• "We must perceive in order to move, but we must also move in order to perceive." Gibson (1979)

1. Integration
   1. Work together
   2. reciprocal info
2. steepness

   Nota:

   • Proffitt et. al. (1995)
   • Estimate steepness..wearing a backpack
3. Types of perception

   Nota:

   • visual
   • haptic
   • auditory
   • olfactory
   • taste
   • different receptors that receive input
4. example

   Nota:

   • baby on a table can't perceive drop off

Nota:

• 3 issues broadly relate to both motor control & learning
• applicable to wide range of behaviors

Nota:

• identify the issues
• why is it important?
• give practical example