Theories of Motor Control

Assumptions Clinical Implications Limitations

Reflex Theory - Sherrington - Use sensory input to control motor output - Reflex can’t be basic unit of behavior
- “Peripheralist” - Stimulate good reflexes - Doesn’t explain fast mvmts
- Reflexes are basis for all mvmt - Inhibit undesirable (primitive) reflexes - Doesn’t explain how single stimulus results
- External stimulus leads to mvmt - Relies heavily on feedback in varying responses.
- Nervous System – triggers, coordinates, & - Doesn’t explain voluntary mvmts.
activates muscles
Hierarchical Theory - JH Jackson - Identify & prevent primitive reflexes - Doesn’t explain dominance of reflexive
- “Centralist” - Reduce hyperactive stretch behaviors in normal adults
- “Top-Down” unidirectional flow - Normalize tone - Everyone’s developmental pattern is diff.
- Voluntary mvmts initiated by “will” (higher - Facilitate “normal” mvmt patterns - Hands-on approach  pt may become very
levels) - DEVELOPMENTAL SEQUENCE passive
- Reflexive mvmts dominate only after CNS - Recapitulation
damage.
Systems Theory - Bernstein - Identifiable, functional tasks - Very broad – many diff. systems
- Goal-directed behavior (Task Oriented) - Practice under a variety of conditions - Doesn’t focus as heavily on the interaction of
- Synergies to master redundant degrees of - Modify environmental contexts the organism w/ the environment.
freedom
- Feedback (closed loop)

Motor Programming - Central Motor Pattern – motor response w/o
Theory sensory stimulus/reflex
- Central pattern generators (CPGs) – spinal motor
programs that can produce mvmt w/o cortical or
sensory input
- Higher-level motor programs – store rules for
generating mvmts.
Dynamical Action - New mvmt emerges 2o to change in control
Theory parameter.
- De-emphasize commands from CNS in
controlling mvmt and emphasize physical
explanations for mvmt
- Attractor state – preferred pattern (vice-versa)
- Deeper attractor well  more stable pattern
- Stable patterns become more variable prior to
transition to new mvmt pattern.
Ecological Theory - James Gibson
- Perception-action system
- Perception focuses on detecting information in
the environment that will support the actions
necessary to achieve the goal.
- Abnormal mvmt – not just reflexive, also
including abnormalities in central pattern
generators or higher level motor programs.
- Help pts relearn the correct rules for action
- Retrain mvmts important to fxn’al task
- Do not just reeducate muscles in isolation
- Mvmt is an emergent property from the
interaction of multiple elements.
- Understand the physical & dynamic properties
of the body
- i.e.) Velocity- important for dynamics of
mvmt. May be good to encourage faster mvmt
in pts to produce momentum and therefore help
weak pts move w/ greater ease.
- Help pt explore multiple ways in achieving
fInal task  discovering best solution for pt,
given the set of limitations.
- Not intended to replace importance of
sensory input in controlling mvmt
- Central motor program can’t be sole
determinant of action
- Doesn’t explain nervous sys. dealing w/ both
musculoskeletal & environment variables
- Nervous sys. has unimportant role
- Presumption that the relationship b/w the
physical sys. & environment determines
behavior.
- Gives less emphasis on nervous sys.