Movement  Responsible for:
 executing the motor programs
MOVEMENT – the act or process of moving people
or things from one place or position to another.
 The psychology of human movement is a broad ranging
field that includes both (1) how the motor control
system produces movements, and (2) how the sensory
system perceives these movements itself and from
others.
ROLE OF MOVEMENT IN MOTOR AND
COORDINATION
1. Sensory feedback: Movement provides sensory
feedback from the muscles, joints, and other
proprioceptive receptors to the CNS.
2. Motor planning: Movement is involved in the motor
planning process, which includes the selection and
sequencing of appropriate motor commands to achieve
a desired movement outcome.
3. Coordination: Movement is essential for coordinating
different body parts and muscle groups to perform
complex tasks.
4. Motor learning: Movement is a fundamental
component of motor learning, which involves acquiring
and refining new motor skills.
5. Adaptation and flexibility: Movement allows the CNS
to adapt and adjust motor control strategies based on
changing environmental conditions and task demands.
BASIC CONCEPTS IN MOTOR CONTROL
 Hierarchical Organization – it is of motor control
systems, which is a concept in neuroscience and
psychology that describes how motor movements are
coordinated and controlled in the brain.
 Three (3) Levels
1. Highest Level – Cognitive Level: This level
involves the cognitive processes and decision-
making related to motor control.
 Includes the: prefrontal cortex and other
higher-order brain regions
 Responsible for: planning and strategizing
motor actions
 Based on: the individual’s goals,
intentions, and the environmental context.
2. Middle Level – Executive Level: This level is
responsible for translating the motor plan generated
at the cognitive level into specific motor programs
an action sequences.
 Involves: areas in the premotor cortex and
supplementary motor area (SMA)
 Crucial role: in organizing and
coordinating complex movements.
 Integrates: sensory feedback to adjust and
fine-tune ongoing movements.
3. Lowest Level – Implementation Level: The
implementation level is the lowest level of the
motor control hierarchy and involves the primary
motor cortex (M1) and other subcortical structures,
such as the basal ganglia and cerebellum.
generated at the executive level,
 translating them into precise and
coordinated muscle contractions.
 The primary motor cortex directly
connects to the spinal cord, were motor
neurons control muscle activity.
 Motor Pathways – these involve the coordination of
upper motor neurons (UMNs) and lower motor neurons
(LMNs) to control voluntary and involuntary
movements.
1. Upper Motor Neurons (UMNs)
 LOCATION: Upper motor neurons are in the
cerebral cortex of the brain, specifically in the
motor cortex.
— They also extend into the brainstem.
 FUNCTION: Upper motor neurons transmit
signals from the brain down to the lower motor
neurons in the spinal cord or brainstem.
— They initiate and modulate voluntary
motor commands and
— play a crucial role in the planning and
execution of movements.
 PATHWAYS: The axons of upper motor
neurons form descending tracts, such as the:
— corticospinal tract (pyramidal tract),
— corticobulbar tract,
— rubrospinal tract, and
— vestibulospinal tract.
— **These tracts carry signals from the
motor cortex to the lower motor
neurons.
2. Lower Motor Neurons (LMNs)
 LOCATION: Lower motor neurons are in the
spinal cord or brainstem.
— They have cell bodies within the
anterior horn of the spinal cord or
within motor cranial nerve nuclei in
the brainstem.
 FUNCTION: Lower motor neurons are the
final common pathway for motor signals.
— They directly innervate skeletal
muscles, initiating muscle
contractions and allowing voluntary
movement.
 PATHWAYS: The axons of lower motor
neurons leave the spinal cord or brainstem.
— Travel through peripheral nerves to
reach the target muscles
— Each lower motor neuron innervates a
specific muscle fiber or a group of
muscle fibers, controlling their
contraction.
NEURAL MECHANISMS OF MOTOR CONTROL
1. Motor Cortex – located in the frontal lobe of the brain;
plays a critical role in the planning and execution of
voluntary movements.
2. Basal Ganglia – ****a group of subcortical structures o and the goal of treatment is to minimize
including the striatum, globus pallidus, and substantia symptoms and relieve pain.
nigra, are involved in the selection and initiation of  Some are severe and progressive, impairing your ability
movements. to move and speak.
3. Cerebellum – located at the back of the brain; is critical  Treatment for movement disorders will depend on the
for motor coordination, precision, and motor learning. underlying cause of your condition.
4. Spinal Cord – ****serves as a relay station between the  options your doctor may suggest include (PBDD):
brain and peripheral muscles.  Physical or occupational therapy to help maintain or
5. central pattern generators (CPGs) – circuits in the restore your ability to control your movements
spinal cord that generate rhythmic motor patterns, such  Botulinum toxin injections to help prevent muscle
as walking or swimming, without requiring continuous contractions
input from the brain.
 Deep brain stimulation << a surgical treatment option
6. Peripheral Nervous System – consists of the nerves that that uses an implant to stimulate the areas of your brain
connect the central nervous system to the muscles and that controls movement
sensory organs.  Drug therapies to control your symptoms.
DISORDERS OF MOVEMENT
1. Ataxia – this movement disorder affects the part of the
brain that controls coordinated movement.
 May cause uncoordinated or clumsy balance,
speech or limb movements, and other
symptoms.
 Causes: REFERENCES:
 genetic and degenerative disorders
Carpiso S. (2023). Movement [PowerPoint Slides].
 infection or another treatable
condition
Polytechnic University of the Philippines – Sto.
2. Cervical Dystonia – the neck muscles contract
involuntarily, causing the head to pull to one side or to Tomas Branch. Classroom Lecture
tilt forward or backward. There may be shaking.
3. Chorea – characterized by repetitive, brief, irregular,
somewhat rapid, involuntary movements.
 The movements typically involve the face,
mouth, trunk and limbs.
 Chorea can look like exaggerated fidgeting.
4. Dystonia – This condition involves sustained
involuntary muscle contractions with twisting,
repetitive movements.
 Dystonia may affect the entire body OR one
part of the body.
5. Huntington’s Disease – This is an inherited,
progressive disease that can be confirmed with genetic
testing.
 Huntington's disease has three components:
i. uncontrolled movements,
ii. cognitive problems and
iii. psychiatric conditions.
6. Parkinson’s Disease – This slowly progressive disease
CAUSES tremor, muscle stiffness, slow or decreased
movement, or imbalance.
 It may also cause other symptoms not related
to movement such as reduced sense of smell,
constipation, acting out dreams and a decline
in cognition.
7. Tourette Syndrome – This is a neurological condition
that starts between childhood and teenage years and is
associated with repetitive movements and vocal sounds.

TREATMENT FOR DISORDER MOVEMENTS

 In many cases, movement disorders cannot be cured,