1. Information Processing in Motor Learning
Chapter 17
Sport Books Publisher

2. Outline Structure and function of the nervous system
Information processing and making decisions
Feedback in movement control
Factors affecting information processing
Sport Books Publisher

3. Structure and Function of the Nervous System
Sport Books Publisher

4. Connects CNS with the rest of the body
Control center
PNS
Connects CNS with the rest of the body
Sport Books Publisher

5. The Neuron and Its Function
Sport Books Publisher

6. Neuron
Nerve cell
The fundamental functional and structural unit of the nervous system
Allows information to travel throughout the body to various destinations
Sport Books Publisher

7. Axon: transmits message to terminal ending
Receptive Segment
Cell Body
Dendrites: receive message
Myelin sheath
Conductive Segment
Axon: transmits message to terminal ending
Nodes of Ranvier
Terminal ending on muscle: sends off message to adjacent neuron
Transmissive Segment
Motor end plate
Sport Books Publisher

8. Skipping of the impulse allowing faster conduction
Myelin sheath: fatty covering or insulator
Skipping of the impulse allowing faster conduction
Sport Books Publisher

9. Types of Neurons Afferent neurons Interneurons Efferent neurons
Sensory
Carry signals to the brain
Interneurons
Originate and terminate in CNS
Connect afferents and efferents in CNS
CNS tissue cross-section
Efferent neurons
Motor
Carry signals from the brain
Sport Books Publisher

10. Types of Neurons cont.
Sport Books Publisher

11. The Neuron’s Function Receptive segment (dendrites)
Receives continuous synaptic input (chemical) from other neurons
Conductive segment (axon)
Conduction of neural information in the form of nerve impulse (electrical)
Transmissive segment (axon terminals)
Converts electrical nerve impulse to chemical form (neurotransmitter) and sends it off to synapse
Conductive
Transmissive
Sport Books Publisher

12. Stimulus: depolarization
Neural Impulses
Transport the information necessary for all activities we carry out
The language of the nervous system
Relay of impulse within neuron:
Rest: polarization
Stimulus: depolarization
Rest: polarization
Membrane potential = -70 mV
(mV)
+50
-50
-100
Action Potential
+40 mV
Resting Potential
Stimulus
Sport Books Publisher

13. The Synapse and Synaptic Transmission
. : :.. …. …… …..:: : .
: .:.;. . .
SYNAPTIC TRANSMISSION O O O O
Differ in terms of :
Neurotransmitter used (e.g., acetylcholine or Ach)
General function (e.g., inhibitory vs.excitatory)
NEUROTRANSMITTER
Sport Books Publisher

14. The Synapse and Synaptic Transmission
“All-or-none” law
Synaptic transmission causes action potential when its strength is above a minimum threshold level
Below threshold level = NO action potential
Action potential is always the same intensity regardless of the strength of synaptic transmission above the threshold level
Action potential intensity remains constant along the nerve fibre
Sport Books Publisher

15. Indication of Strength of stimulus
Refractory Period
Absolute
Relative
Sport Books Publisher

16. Information Processing and Making Decisions
Sport Books Publisher

17. Input
The Human
Output
Sport Books Publisher

18. Information-Processing Stages
Sport Books Publisher

19. Stimulus-Identification Stage
Sensing environmental information
Exteroceptors
Proprioceptors
Representation of stimulus and its nature
PERCEPTION
SENSATION
Sport Books Publisher

20. Response-Selection Stage
Translation from perception to a response in the form of a motor program
MP 13498
MP 00333
MP 04567
MP 09564
Sport Books Publisher

21. Response-Programming Stage
Organizing the selected movement
Retrieve motor program
Command correct muscles
Choose appropriate force
Choose appropriate timing, etc.
Efferent nerves
Sport Books Publisher

22. Feedback in Movement Control
Sport Books Publisher

23. As we execute movements, the receptors in our bodies continually update the CNS about the nature of our actions
The efficiency of motor control by the information-processing system depends on feedback
Sport Books Publisher

24. Central Processing System Functions
Perception
Decision making
Data storage and coding
Transition to motor program
Sensory Receptors
Ears
Eyes
Proprioceptors
Vestibular system
Etc.
Effector System
Biceps
Quadriceps
Abdominals
Latissimus dorsi
Output
Pivot
Dribble
Jump
Shot
Pass
Coaching Instructions
Watch the opponent
Feel the ball
Keep balanced
Listen to teammates
Exteroceptive Feedback
Error information
Motivate
Reinforce
Sport Books Publisher

25. Closed-Loop Control
Sport Books Publisher

26. Follows the idea that movements may be planned and adjusted by feedback even during a movement
This general closed-loop control process is self-regulating and will continue to maintain the desired movement of the performer
Key elements:
Feedback
Error detection
Error correction
Analogy: thermostat
Sport Books Publisher

27. Response Execution Motor Program Muscles Output Environment
Error
Input
Senses
Correction
Perception Stimulus Identification
Comparator (Reference system)
CNS Executive
The stages of information processing
Response Selection and Programming
Response Execution
PNS Effector
The motor program and motor system
Motor Program
Proprioceptive Feedback
Muscles
Output Environment
Exteroceptive Feedback
Sport Books Publisher

28. Advantages of the Closed-Loop System
New skills
Activities requiring precision and accuracy
Allows adjustment according to the situation
Adds versatility to movements
Sport Books Publisher

29. Disadvantages of the Closed-Loop System
Rapid, discrete actions do not properly fall under closed-loop control
Demands attention and time
Feedback must pass through the processing stage
Sport Books Publisher

30. Open-Loop Control
Sport Books Publisher

31. Describes control of automatic actions
Motor program defines the details of skilled action before the movement begins and without the influence of peripheral feedback
Movements may be structured in advance, enabling them to run off automatically when initiated
Two main components:
The executive
The effector
Sport Books Publisher

32. EXECUTIVE EFFECTOR No Feedback Chooses motor program
STIMULUS
EXECUTIVE
EFFECTOR
Chooses motor program
Relays instruction
Carries out specific instructions automatically
No Feedback
Sport Books Publisher

33. Advantages of the Open-Loop System
Fast and forceful movements can be produced without extensive conscious control
Attention can de diverted to other responses
Does not demand as much time because there is no feedback
Sport Books Publisher

34. Disadvantages of the Open-Loop System
Not as effective in unstable and less predictable situations
Movements may not be determined effectively in advance
Not effective in precise and complex actions
Sport Books Publisher

35. Factors Affecting Information Processing
Sport Books Publisher

36. Information Processing
Sensory Receptors Relay
Sensory Input Quality
Arousal and Psychological Readiness
Information Processing
Reaction Time
Capacity to Concentrate
Ability to Anticipate
Sport Books Publisher