Coordination, Laterality and Motor Behavior

Code:

PDCD031

Acronym:

CD-DGC

Keywords
Classification	Keyword
OFICIAL	Sports Sciences

Instance: 2010/2011 - SP

Active?	Yes
Web Page:	http://lacm.fade.up.pt/
Course/CS Responsible:	Sport Sciences

Cycles of Study/Courses

Acronym	No. of Students	Study Plan	Curricular Years	Credits UCN	Credits ECTS	Contact hours	Total Time
PDCD	5	Plano em vigor a partir de 2009	1	-	5	45	135

Teaching language

Portuguese

Objectives

This course takes as its main objectives: i) Analysis of motor coordination, especially the fine dexterity and global parameters, proprioceptive sensitivity, reaction speed, anticipation-coincidence and spatial orientation in normal and special populations, ii) understanding of behavior lateral preference. His influence on the expression of the parameters of motor coordination and its relationship with functional motor asymmetries in normal and special populations, iii) investigation of motor behavior, the specific level of its three analysis parameters (motor development, motor learning and motor control) of subjects with different manual preference, either "normal" or with Special Needs; iv) Study of bilateral transfer in motor behavior, in learning environments and high performance in normal and special populations.

Program

1. Theories of the motor control
1.1. Introduction: concepts of motor control, motor learning, performance, motor skills, motor skills
1.2. Concept of theory and model. Models control open and closed models of control.
1.3. Theory loop Adams (1971)
1.4. Schema theory of Schmidt (1975)
1.5. Systems theory of action
1.6. The priorities of the system of motor control in special populations: disability, disorder or difference?

2. Coordination
2.1. Concepts of motor coordination, degrees of freedom and coordinative abilities
2.2. Ontogenesis of motor coordination
2.3. The practice of motor skills through age
2.4. Methods and content to exercise with motor coordination
2.5. Motor coordination and intervention process in special populations: sensory disabilities, intellectual disabilities, mental illness, physical and motor disabilities, neuro-motor disabilities, learning disabilities, giftedness
2.6. The importance of motor learning for the child's overall development. Examples.

3. Laterality and motor asymmetries in human behavior
3.1. Lateral preference and functional motor asymmetry: a developmental perspective
3.2. The expression of laterality in motor coordination tasks of different complexity
3.3. Lateral and bilateral transfer of learning
3.4. Laterality, disorders of motor coordination and posture
3.5. Laterality and motor asymmetries in special populations

4. Methodologies and tools in the study of motor behavior
4.1. Purposes and principles of assessment of motor behavior.
4.2. Measures of motor performance.
4.3. Evaluation of behavior of lateral asymmetry: measures of preference and performance measures.
4.4. Individual differences and motor skills.
4.5. Batteries of tests and testing in the evaluation of motor skills, fundamental motor patterns and motor skills.

Mandatory literature

Vasconcelos O, Rodrigues P, Barreiros J, Jacobsohn L ; Laterality, Developmental coordination disorders and posture., In LP Rodrigues, L Saraiva, J Barreiros, O Vasconcelos (Eds.) Estudos em Desenvolvimento Motor II (19-26). ESSE-IPVC., 2009
Vasconcelos O, Rodrigues P ; Métodos de avaliação dos comportamentos de assimetria lateral: medidas de preferência e medidas de performance. , In D Catela, J Barreiros (Eds.). Desenvolvimento Motor da Criança (pp. 105-114). Lisboa: Edições FMH., 2008
Vasconcelos O ; O desenvolvimento da preferência manual em tarefas de coordenação motora de diferente complexidade. , In J. Barreiros, R. Cordovil, S. Carvalho (Eds.), Desenvolvimento Motor da Criança (pp. 125-134). Lisboa: Edições FMH., 2007
Vasconcelos O; Preferência lateral e assimetria motora funcional: uma perspectiva de desenvolvimento., In J. Barreiros, M. Godinho, F. Melo, C. Neto (Eds.), Desenvolvimento e aprendizagem. Perspectivas cruzadas (pp. 67-93). Lisboa: Edições FMH., 2004
Vasconcelos O; Assessment of manual asymmetry: are proficiency and preference measures indicators of common underlying factors?., In: S Serpa, J Alves, V Ferreira, A Paula-Brito (Eds.). Proceedings of 8th World Congress of Sport Psychology. Sport Psychology: An Integrated Approach, pp. 504-507., 1993
Baumgartner Ted A. 070; Measurement for evaluationin physical education and exercise science. ISBN: 978-0-07-304526-9
Fairbrother Jeffrey T.; Fundamentals of motor behaviour. ISBN: 978-0-7360-7714-9
Schmidt Richard A.; Motor Learning and Performance. ISBN: 978-0-7360-6964-9
Thomas Jerry R.; Research methods in physical activity. ISBN: 0-7360-5620-3
Sugden David; Motor coordination disorders in children. ISBN: 0-7619-0999-0
Clark, J.E., Oliveira, M.A. ; Motor behavior as a scientific field: A view from the start of the 21st century, Brazilien Journal of Motor Behavior, 1 (1), 1-19., 2006

Teaching methods and learning activities

This course is temporally divided into three parts:

1. The first part, consisting of 15 hours, is essentially expository and includes the theoretical foundation on four blocks of matter taught (Theories of motor control, motor coordination, laterality and motor asymmetries in human behavior, methodologies and tools in the study of motor behavior) . This form is accompanied by expository examples of situations and studies or experimental nature in the area concerned, and the results analyzed and discussed. Another objective is to create habits of a permanent reflection on the contents that are transmitted, as well as relate them to the contents of the courses with affinities with the present course. Upon reflection, we try to create moments of debate.

2. The second part comprises also 15 hours to be distributed in two stages:
2.1. At first, students in the laboratory, familiarize themselves with some tests and batteries of tests, through their instruments and research methodologies, in the study of motor coordination, laterality and motor asymmetries. In this context, the aim is a practical experience leading to a better understanding of the material covered in lectures, as well as the incentive for the participation of students working as drivers of their own learning.
2.2. Secondly, students, using some of the research instruments experienced at first, collect data that will later be treated in a statistical program. This collection and treatment will be contextualized by the students, a theoretical framework in the field of one of the topics covered in the first part (Coordination and Motor Laterality). It is intended that the final product is a small experimental study in scientific paper format, a format similar to that contained in the Portuguese Journal of Sport Sciences. In this second phase the students work in groups of two under the supervision of the regent of the course.

3. The third part, as the previous two parts, consists of 15 hours. This part will be devoted to the presentation, analysis and discussion of works written in the second moment of the second part. Again, there will be supervision of the lord of the course. Each group will present their study in PowerPoint, according to previously established rules, to be followed by a moment of discussion with the participation of colleagues and a moment of synthesis and conclusion by the teacher.

Software

spss

Evaluation Type

Distributed evaluation without final exam

Assessment Components

Description	Type	Time (hours)	Weight (%)	End date
Attendance (estimated)	Participação presencial	0,00
	Total:	-	0,00

Eligibility for exams

Two types of tasks performed individually: (i) the choice and power point presentation of a paper in English language and after 2010, on coordination and laterality domain (ii) a written work in the format of the Portuguese Journal of Sport Sciences, consisting of a review of literature describing the importance of the subject and the state of the art.

Calculation formula of final grade

Weighted average of the first work (40%) and the second work (60%).