| Semester 1, 2023 External | |
| Units : | 1 |
| School or Department : | School of Health and Medical Sciences |
| Grading basis : | Graded |
| Course fee schedule : | /current-students/administration/fees/fee-schedules |
Staffing
Course Coordinator:
Overview
Students undertaking studies in the area of sport and exercise will be required to develop knowledge and skills related to the discipline area of motor control and learning. This course will introduce and expand on the theoretical basis of motor control and learning to select and perform assessments of motor skills. The course will provide the opportunity for students to develop the knowledge and skills to be able to design a suitable program, based on best practice, for teaching motor skills to meet the unique needs of clients across a range of groups in the population. The course also presents students with the opportunity to explore practical research in the area and to be able to integrate with other sport and exercise discipline areas, particularly biomechanics, to ensure best possible outcomes for individuals (based on their needs, including remedial and rehabilitation).
This course provides both an introduction and advanced understanding of the nature of motor control and learning. It outlines the theoretical basis of motor control and learning to be able to select and perform assessments of motor skills. The course will develop knowledge and skills relevant to the design of suitable programs, based on best practice, for teaching motor skills to meet the needs of clients. The course will not only provide information relevant to a general healthy population, especially those involved in sport and physical activity, but to individuals and groups across a range of populations. The use of motor control and learning in the development of motor skills and in rehabilitation will be a focus. Additional advanced focus of motor learning in clinical populations and locomotion will be introduced. Current research and the relationship to other discipline areas will be outlined.
This course contains a mandatory residential school for external students and mandatory on-campus laboratories or practical classes for on-campus students. To pass this course, students must attend at least 5 of the 6 residential school sessions or fortnightly laboratory classes. Student non-compliance with the attendance requirement will mean the student cannot pass the course.
Course learning outcomes
On successful completion of this course students will be able to demonstrate:
- Contrast the nature of human performance and motor control and learning (including theoretical models) to the structure and function of the neuromuscular and sensory systems
- Perform appropriate testing in motor control and learning tests and analyse the effectiveness of testing and relevant issues
- Appraise motor control and learning in health and exercise contexts and the influence on motor performance by factors such as injury, disease, disability and age
- Design advanced motor learning and control programs for clients with specific needs (and in varying contexts) and evaluate the effectiveness of programs in relation to outcomes
- Examine relevant research in motor learning and control and explain how motor control and learning knowledge and skills integrates with other sport and exercise disciplines.
Topics
| Description | Weighting(%) | |
|---|---|---|
| 1. | Overview of Motor Control and Learning: Motor control and motor learning/skill acquisition defined. Voluntary and involuntary movement. Nature, structure and function of neuromuscular and sensory systems. Neural, physiological and psychological processes. Theories in motor learning and control and their theoretical and practical application. Capacities of the learner, features of learning environment, applications to teaching motor skills, coaching and rehabilitation. | 20.00 |
| 2. | Practical aspects of motor control and learning: Measurement and recording techniques. Laboratory testing and practical issues strengths and limitations. Types of testing (such as gait analysis and association with other professionals such podiatrists). Interpret results. Motor performance in health, exercise and sporting contexts. Injury, disease, disability, age etc. influences on motor learning and control. Design and evaluate programs various environments and protocols. Individual programs aspects: testing protocols, interpreting results, designing programs, implementation, monitoring (including discussion with client or other professionals), recording and reporting/referral and evaluation. | 45.00 |
| 3. | Research methodology and experimental techniques in motor control and learning. Integration with relevant disciplines in the sport and exercise science area. Knowledge from other disciplines (such as biomechanics and exercise physiology). Latest research and knowledge. | 15.00 |
| 4. | Advanced understanding of motor learning during locomotion. Impact of neurological and musculoskeletal conditions on motor learning and motor control during locomotion. | 20.00 |
Text and materials required to be purchased or accessed
Student workload expectations
To do well in this subject, students are expected to commit approximately 10 hours per week including class contact hours, independent study, and all assessment tasks. If you are undertaking additional activities, which may include placements and residential schools, the weekly workload hours may vary.
Assessment details
| Description | Group Assessment |
Weighting (%) | Course learning outcomes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Quiz | No | 20 | 1,2,3,5 |
| Workbook A1 of 4 | No | 10 | 2,3 |
| Workbook A2 of 4 | No | 10 | 2,3,4 |
| Workbook A3 of 4 | No | 10 | 3,4 |
| Workbook A4 of 4 | No | 10 | 1,3 |
| Time limited online examinatn | No | 40 | 1,2,3,5 |