chapter 1 Fundamental Concepts
Characteristics of Motor Development Involves change in movement behavior Is sequential, age-related, continuous Depends on underlying processes
Related Areas of Study Motor learning: relatively permanent gains in motor skill capability associated with practice or experience Motor control: the neural, physical, and behavioral aspects of movement (Schmidt & Lee, 1999)
Related Terms Physical growth: quantitative increase in size or body mass (Timiras, 1972) Physical maturation: qualitative advance in biological makeup; cell, organ, or system advancement in biochemical composition (Teeple, 1978) Aging: process occurring with passage of time, leading to loss of adaptability or full function and eventually to death (Spirduso, 1995)
Defining Motor Development Identify similarities and differences between motor development and the following phenomena. Motor learning Motor control Physical growth and maturation Provide real-world examples of each.
Constraints Limit or discourage certain movements Permit or encourage other movements “Shape” movement
Newell’s Model of Constraints
Individual Constraints Inside the body (internal) Structural constraints: related to the body’s structure Height Muscle mass Functional constraints: related to behavioral function Attention Motivation
Environmental Constraints Outside the body: properties of the world around us Global, not task specific Physical Gravity Surfaces Sociocultural Gender roles Cultural norms
Task Constraints External to the body Related specifically to tasks or skills Goal of task Rules guiding task performance Equipment
Naming Individual, Environmental, and Task Constraints Click image to view video
Typical Research Study Designs Longitudinal An individual or group is observed over time. Study can require lengthy observation. Cross-sectional Individuals or groups of different ages are observed. Change is inferred, not actually observed. Sequential or mixed longitudinal: mini-longitudinal studies with overlapping ages
A Model of Sequential Research Design
Research Designs Why would a researcher use a longitudinal design to study motor development? Why would a researcher use a cross-sectional design to study motor development?
A Paradox in Development Universality: Individuals in a species show great similarity in development. Variability: Individual differences exist.
Observing Motor Development What constraints change between these two clips? Click image to view video Click image to view video