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Theories of Motor Control

The document outlines several theories of motor control: 1) Reflex Theory proposes that reflexes are the basis for all movement and the nervous system triggers, coordinates, and activates muscles in response to external stimuli. It cannot explain voluntary movements or how single stimuli result in varying responses. 2) Hierarchical Theory posits that voluntary movements are initiated from higher levels in the nervous system and reflexive movements only dominate after CNS damage. It does not fully explain dominance of reflexes in normal adults. 3) Dynamical Action Theory views movement as an emergent property from interaction of multiple elements like the physical properties of the body and environment. It emphasizes understanding dynamics over nervous system commands.

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1K views1 page

Theories of Motor Control

The document outlines several theories of motor control: 1) Reflex Theory proposes that reflexes are the basis for all movement and the nervous system triggers, coordinates, and activates muscles in response to external stimuli. It cannot explain voluntary movements or how single stimuli result in varying responses. 2) Hierarchical Theory posits that voluntary movements are initiated from higher levels in the nervous system and reflexive movements only dominate after CNS damage. It does not fully explain dominance of reflexes in normal adults. 3) Dynamical Action Theory views movement as an emergent property from interaction of multiple elements like the physical properties of the body and environment. It emphasizes understanding dynamics over nervous system commands.

Uploaded by

Aqembun
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
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Download as DOC, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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Theories of Motor Control

Assumptions

Clinical Implications

Limitations

Reflex Theory

- Sherrington
- Peripheralist
- Reflexes are basis for all mvmt
- External stimulus leads to mvmt
- Nervous System triggers, coordinates, &
activates muscles

- Use sensory input to control motor output


- Stimulate good reflexes
- Inhibit undesirable (primitive) reflexes
- Relies heavily on feedback

- Reflex cant be basic unit of behavior


- Doesnt explain fast mvmts
- Doesnt explain how single stimulus results
in varying responses.
- Doesnt explain voluntary mvmts.

Hierarchical Theory

- JH Jackson
- Centralist
- Top-Down unidirectional flow
- Voluntary mvmts initiated by will (higher
levels)
- Reflexive mvmts dominate only after CNS
damage.
- Bernstein
- Goal-directed behavior (Task Oriented)
- Synergies to master redundant degrees of
freedom
- Feedback (closed loop)

- Identify & prevent primitive reflexes


- Reduce hyperactive stretch
- Normalize tone
- Facilitate normal mvmt patterns
- DEVELOPMENTAL SEQUENCE
- Recapitulation

- Doesnt explain dominance of reflexive


behaviors in normal adults
- Everyones developmental pattern is diff.
- Hands-on approach pt may become very
passive

- Identifiable, functional tasks


- Practice under a variety of conditions
- Modify environmental contexts

- Very broad many diff. systems


- Doesnt focus as heavily on the interaction of
the organism w/ the environment.

- Central Motor Pattern motor response w/o


sensory stimulus/reflex
- Central pattern generators (CPGs) spinal motor
programs that can produce mvmt w/o cortical or
sensory input
- Higher-level motor programs store rules for
generating mvmts.
- New mvmt emerges 2o to change in control
parameter.
- De-emphasize commands from CNS in
controlling mvmt and emphasize physical
explanations for mvmt
- Attractor state preferred pattern (vice-versa)
- Deeper attractor well more stable pattern
- Stable patterns become more variable prior to
transition to new mvmt pattern.
- James Gibson
- Perception-action system
- Perception focuses on detecting information in
the environment that will support the actions
necessary to achieve the goal.

- Abnormal mvmt not just reflexive, also


including abnormalities in central pattern
generators or higher level motor programs.
- Help pts relearn the correct rules for action
- Retrain mvmts important to fxnal task
- Do not just reeducate muscles in isolation

- Not intended to replace importance of


sensory input in controlling mvmt
- Central motor program cant be sole
determinant of action
- Doesnt explain nervous sys. dealing w/ both
musculoskeletal & environment variables

- Mvmt is an emergent property from the


interaction of multiple elements.
- Understand the physical & dynamic properties
of the body
- i.e.) Velocity- important for dynamics of mvmt.
May be good to encourage faster mvmt in pts to
produce momentum and therefore help weak pts
move w/ greater ease.

- Nervous sys. has unimportant role


- Presumption that the relationship b/w the
physical sys. & environment determines
behavior.

- Help pt explore multiple ways in achieving


fxnal task discovering best solution for pt,
given the set of limitations
-

- Gives less emphasis on nervous sys.

Systems Theory

Motor Programming
Theory

Dynamical Action
Theory

Ecological Theory

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