Motor Skills Through Motor Learning

Motor Skills Through Motor Learning

Jordan D. Davila

Dallas Baptist University

Author Note

Jordan D. Davila, Department of Kinesiology, Dallas Baptist University

Correspondence concerning this article should be addressed to Jordan Davila, Department of Kinesiology, 3000 Mountain Creek Pkwy 75211.  Email: jdavila0247@mail.dbu.edu

Abstract

This paper focuses on motor learning and the effects it has on the young mind and how it trails on through the rest of an individual’s life.  It will use references from different sources that talk about what motor learning is and why it is important in the athletic world and how it could trail into their daily lives.  This paper will briefly explain how to obtain motor learning skills and why most individuals retain the motor skills they learn from motor learning through different subjects and movements.  It will explain why it is important for humans to have motor skills and how it can be obtained through motor learning.

        Keywords: motor skills, motor learning, reflex

Priority of Flexibility

        Motor learning is one of the most important aspects of sports.  It is so important in sports that it becomes a part of the individual after several motor skills have been obtained.  It allows athletes to apply what they’ve learned to life situations and into jobs, on the field, or even in school.  It provides athletes with stronger bases so that they may be able to meet new potentials and beat their personal best.  It also allows athletes to teach others how to do the same thing without having to learn it themselves.

Method

Participants

        This research paper was conducted taking different research from other researchers.  This paper will include Sharif, M. R., Hemayattalab, R., Sayyah, M., Hemayattalab, A., and Bazazan, S. with their article Effects of Physical and Mental Practice on Motor Learning in        Individuals with Cerebral Palsy.  There are also a few references from Brain Lateralisation and motor learning: Selective Effects of dominant and Non-Dominant Hand Practice on the Early Acquisition of Throwing Skills by Stöckel, T. and Weigelt, M.  The last source this paper will contain will be The Effect of Type of Practice on Motor Learning in Children by Wulf, G.  It will be facts followed by opinion based on the facts and explanations that will elaborate the facts.

        Motor skills is a process where, from the age of infant youth to elderly age, individuals learn how to control movement in different and specific parts of the human body.  When they learn motor control it becomes natural to them.  It allows the individual to do without thinking whatever they need to do.  When people gain the motor skills they need, they don’t need to further their training for that function.  They will be able to function naturally.

        This is easier said than done however.  There are different ways for an individual to gain motor skills through motor learning.  It requires immense amount of training mentally and physically.  Even though the human body is able to have muscle reflexes and “natural reactions,” it doesn’t gain those skills and reflexes overnight.  A good explanation comes from Stöckel’s and Weigel’s article.  They stated that:

“…complex motor skills, which place high demands on the processing of visual-spatial information (e.g., position throws in basketball or playing darts), should be initially taught with the non-dominant, left hand, whereas motor skills, which require the generation of movement dynamics (e.g., throwing long passes in basketball or American Football), should benefit from initial dominant, right-hand practice…” (Stöckel)

This means that when practicing and training, the athletic individual shouldn’t focus on just one side of the body, but both sides.  It would benefit them and it is highly suggested that when one trains both sides of the body, a motor skill would be easier to obtain and learn and grow on.