Motor Control and Learning: A Behavioral Emphasis

Motor Control and Learning, Sixth Edition With Web Resource, focuses on observable movement behavior, the many factors that influence quality of movement, and how movement skills are acquired. The text examines the motivational, cognitive, biomechanical, and neurological processes of complex motor behaviors that allow human movement to progress from unrefined and clumsy to masterfully smooth and agile. This updated sixth edition builds upon the foundational work of Richard Schmidt and Timothy Lee in previous editions. The three new authors—each a distinguished scholar—offer a range and depth of knowledge that includes current directions in the field. The extensively revised content reflects the latest research and new directions in motor control and learning. Additional new features of the sixth edition include the following: • A web resource that includes narratives and learning activities from Motor Control in Everyday Actions that correspond with the chapters in the book, giving students additional opportunities to analyze how research in motor learning and control can be expanded and applied in everyday settings • An instructor guide that offers sample answers for the learning experiences found in the student web resource • New content on sleep and movement memory, the role of vision, illusions and reaching, the OPTIMAL theory of motor learning, the neuroscience of learning, and more Motor Control and Learning begins with a brief introduction to the field and an introduction to important concepts and research methods. Part II thoroughly covers motor control with topics such as closed-loop perspective, the role of the central nervous system for movement control, speed and accuracy, and coordination. Part III deals with motor learning, exploring the effects of attentional focus, the structure of practice sessions, the role of feedback, theoretical views of motor learning, and the retention and transfer of skills. Throughout the book, art and practical examples are included to elucidate complex topics. Sidebars with historical examples, classic research, and examples of real-world applications highlight the importance of motor control and learning research and bring attention to influential research studies and pioneers. End-of-chapter summaries and student assignments reinforce important concepts and terms and provide review opportunities. For instructors, an image bank complements the new instructor guide; it is available to course adopters at www.HumanKinetics.com/MotorControlAndLearning. The updated research, new features, and highly respected authors of Motor Control and Learning, Sixth Edition With Web Study Guide, provide a solid foundation for both students and practitioners who study and work in fields that encompass movement behavior.

Table of Contents:
Part I. Introduction to Motor Behavior Chapter 1. Evolution of a Field of Study Understanding Movement Origins of the Field Summary Chapter 2. Methodology for Studying Motor Performance Classification of Motor Skills Basic Considerations in Measurement Measuring Motor Behavior Measuring and Evaluating Relationships Reliability and Individual Differences Summary Chapter 3. Human Information Processing Information-Processing Model Three Stages of Information Processing Anticipation Signal-Detection Theory Memory Summary Chapter 4. Attention and Performance Types of Attention Theories of Attention Competition for Attention Attention During Movement Focus of Attention Automaticity: The Constrained Action Hypothesis Attention and Anxiety Summary Part II. Motor Control Chapter 5. Sensory and Perceptual Contributions to Motor Control Closed-Loop Control Systems Vision Audition Proprioceptors Proprioception and Motor Control Feedforward Influences on Motor Control Summary Chapter 6. Central Contributors to Motor Control Open-Loop Processes Central Control Mechanisms Central Control of Rapid Movements Generalized Motor Programs Summary Chapter 7. Principles of Speed and Accuracy Fitts’ Law: The Logarithmic Speed–Accuracy Trade-Off Linear Speed–Accuracy Trade-Off (Schmidt’s Law) Temporal Speed–Accuracy Trade-Off Central Contributions to the Spatial Speed–Accuracy Trade-Off Correction Models of the Speed–Accuracy Trade-Off Summary Chapter 8. Coordination Discrete Tasks Continuous Tasks A Dynamical-Systems Account of Coordination Summary Part III. Motor Learning Chapter 9. Motor Learning Concepts and Research Methods Defining Motor Learning Measuring Motor Learning Designing Experiments on Learning Using Alternative Methods to Measure Learning Understanding Issues About the “Amount” of Learning Understanding Learning and Performance Variables Summary Chapter 10. Conditions of Practice Verbal information Focus of Attention Motivational Influences on Learning Observational Learning Mental Practice Distribution of Practice Variability of Practice Contextual Interference Guidance Summary Chapter 11. Augmented Feedback Classifications and Definitions Informational Functions of Feedback Motivational Functions of Feedback Attentional Focus Functions of Feedback Theoretical Issues: How Does Augmented Feedback “Work”? Summary Chapter 12. The Learning Process Stages of Motor Learning Closed-Loop Theory Schema Theory Differing Theoretical Perspectives of Motor Learning OPTIMAL Theory Summary Chapter 13. Retention and Transfer Fundamental Distinctions and Definitions Measuring Retention and Transfer Retention and Motor Memory Retention Loss Transfer of Learning Summary