Motor Skills Classification Chapter 1

Questions and Answers

What are motor skills/actions?

Activities or tasks that require voluntary control over movements of the joints and body segments to achieve a goal.

Which of the following are characteristics of motor skills/actions? (Select all that apply)

Needs to be learned or relearned (correct)

Goal oriented (correct)

Involuntary movements

Movements of the body and/or limbs are required (correct)

Define movements in the context of motor skills.

Specific patterns of motion among joints and body segments used to accomplish action goals.

What is a one-dimensional classification system?

A way of categorizing skills based on one common characteristic, with binary options that can be used as descriptors. Signup and view all the answers

What are the three motor skill classification systems that use the one-dimensional system? (Select all that apply)

Size of primary musculature required Signup and view all the answers

What is a gross motor skill?

A skill requiring large primary musculature Signup and view all the answers

What defines a continuous motor skill?

Arbitrary beginning and end of the action Signup and view all the answers

What is an open motor skill?

A skill performed in a moving environment Signup and view all the answers

What is Gentile's Two-Dimensions Taxonomy?

A system of classification that categorizes motor skills based on two characteristics. Signup and view all the answers

What are regulatory conditions in motor skills?

Features of the environmental context to which movements must conform if they are to achieve the action goal. Signup and view all the answers

What does intertrial variability refer to?

Whether the regulatory conditions associated with the performance of the skill change or stay the same from one trial to the next. Signup and view all the answers

What is the function of the action in Gentile's taxonomy?

The dimension that includes whether the body is stable, or being transported, as well as whether there is object manipulation or not. Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Motor Skills/Actions

Activities requiring voluntary control over body movements to achieve specific goals.

Characteristics of Motor Skills

Goal-oriented in nature.
Movements are voluntary rather than reflexive.
Involve the use of body and limb movements.
Skills must be learned or relearned for mastery.

Movements

Specific patterns of motion involving joints and body segments to accomplish action objectives.

One-Dimension Classification System

Categorizes skills based on a single characteristic with binary descriptive options.

Three One-Dimension Classification Systems

Based on:
- Size of primary musculature needed.
- Specificity of action start and end points.
- Stability of environmental context.

Size of Musculature Classification

Gross motor skills: Involve large muscle groups (e.g., walking, jumping).
Fine motor skills: Involve small muscle groups (e.g., signing a cheque, buttoning a shirt).

Specificity of Action Classification

Continuous motor skills: No distinct start/end; repetitive actions (e.g., steering a car, swimming).
Discrete motor skills: Defined start/end; single actions (e.g., flipping a switch, hitting a piano key).
Serial motor skills: Sequence of discrete movements (e.g., playing a song, typing).

Stability of Environmental Context Classification

Open motor skills: Conditions that are variable; involves movement of surfaces, objects, or people (e.g., driving, walking in crowds).
Closed motor skills: Stable conditions; little to no movement from surfaces or objects (e.g., picking up a cup, shooting free throws).

Gentile's Two-Dimensions Taxonomy

Classification system categorizing motor skills based on two dimensions: regulatory conditions and function of the action.

Regulatory Conditions

Environmental features that movements must adapt to in order to meet the action goal.

Intertrial Variability

Assesses if the regulatory conditions change or remain constant across trials of a skill.

Function of the Action

The second dimension in Gentile’s taxonomy; considers body stability or transport along with object manipulation during the task.

Description

This quiz covers the fundamental concepts of motor skills as outlined in Chapter 1. Test your knowledge on the definitions, characteristics, and classifications of motor skills and actions. Perfect for students looking to solidify their understanding of this important topic.