1. chapter 1
Fundamental Concepts

2. Characteristics of Motor Development
Involves change in movement behavior
Is sequential, age-related, continuous
Depends on underlying processes

3. 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)

4. 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)

5. 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.

6. Constraints Limit or discourage certain movements
Permit or encourage other movements
“Shape” movement

7. Newell’s Model of Constraints

8. 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

9. Environmental Constraints
Outside the body: properties of the world around us
Global, not task specific
Physical
Gravity
Surfaces
Sociocultural
Gender roles
Cultural norms

10. Task Constraints External to the body
Related specifically to tasks or skills
Goal of task
Rules guiding task performance
Equipment

11. Naming Individual, Environmental, and Task Constraints
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12. 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

13. A Model of Sequential Research Design

14. 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?

15. A Paradox in Development
Universality: Individuals in a species show great similarity in development.
Variability: Individual differences exist.

16. Observing Motor Development
What constraints change between these two clips?
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