1. ADAMS OPEN & CLOSED LOOP THEORIES
COGNITIVE THEORIES
ADAMS OPEN & CLOSED LOOP THEORIES

2. Lesson Objectives WE ARE LEARNING TO...
Understand Adams Open & Closed Loop Theories, and how they are implemented in Sport and their drawbacks

3. Cognitive Theories of Learning
These theories stress the importance of what the brain does with the information it receives
Motor control involves the adjustment of the body during performance to bring about the desired response

4. Motor Programmes & Sub Routines
Motor programmes (MP) are plans for a whole skill or pattern of movement.
They are stored in the long term memory and used to instruct the body how to perform the skill
Eg. Tennis Serve
Tennis Serve
Motor programmes are broken down into sub – routines.
These are mini skills that are performed in a particular order
Some skills have more clearly defined sub- routines than others.
Recovery
Ball Toss
Contact
Back Swing

5. Student Task
Can you come up with three of your own motor programmes and display your subroutines?

6. Open Loop Theory Motor Action Stimulus Memory Trace Output Input
Initiates MP
Think of the memory trace as a memory stored in your LTM
The motor programme is stored in the LTM
The motor programme is triggered by the situation and transferred to the working muscles
The Open Loop is termed The memory Trace and is responsible for starting the action
Its function is to produce the skill with NO REFERENCE TO FEEDBACK
Eg: A rapid golf swing… the movement is so quick that feedback cannot be referenced after the swing has started.

7. Closed Loop Theory Stimulus Input Memory Trace Initiates MP
Perceptual trace
Controls Movement
Motor Action
Output
Feedback
Closes the Loop
Feedback detects
errors
Involves internal feedback from the body
This allows the performer to adjust the movement
The closed loop is also known as the Perceptual trace
Works most efficiently with skills performed over a long period of time

8. Student Task Practice throwing a tennis ball into a bin
Then put on a blindfold and repeat the exercise
After each shot get a partner to tell you how successful you are being in terms of direction and length.
They should only provide you with feedback about the shot (KR) NOT what you should correct – that is up to you
Can you identify the perceptual and memory trace?
How were they developed?
How were they used?
Can you now interpret what you did in terms of the flow diagram you have just copied?

9. Potential Drawbacks with the Closed Loop Theory
There are some problems associated with the open and closed loop theories
If there is an memory trace for every conceivable outcome of a stimuli then storage would be an issue.
The mass of information would make recall difficult
The theory does not explain spontaneous responses
Another theory called attempts to
Solve these issues
Schema theory

10. Conclusion
Do you....
Understand Adams Open and Closed Loop Theories, how it is implemented in Sport and its drawbacks?