Motor Learning

Code:

314

Acronym:

AM

Instance: 2024/2025 - 1S

Active?	Yes
Web Page:	https://moodle.up.pt/course/view.php?id=1794
Course/CS Responsible:	Sports Sciences

Cycles of Study/Courses

Acronym	No. of Students	Study Plan	Curricular Years	Credits UCN	Credits ECTS	Contact hours	Total Time
LCD	204	First Degree in Sports Sciences (2011/2012)	3	-	6	60	162

Teaching language

Suitable for English-speaking students

Objectives

Learning outcomes and competences

Working method

Presencial

Program

1. Introduction to Motor Learning and Performance. Motor Behavior: a field of investigation and application.

1.1. Concepts of: motor behavior, motor learning, latent learning, motor control, motor competence, performance, motor skills and motor ability.

1.2. Individual differences: considerations about the concepts of motor abilities, fundamental motor skills, specific motor skills, actions, movements.

1.3. Is there really a general motor ability?

1.4. Components and classification of motor skills.

1. Motor skills: the acquisition processes, retention mechanisms and transfer determinants.

2.1. Acquisition processes: attention, motivation and emotion; motor programs and movement control; learning phases; changes in performer and motor performance through the learning phases.

2.2. Retention mechanisms: memory, emotion and learning; biological bases of memory; structures of memory; remember and forget; memory strategies.

2.3. Determinants of transfer; bilateral transfer of learning; when the transfer is negative ?; transfer of learning and simulators; strategies to enhance the transfer of learning.

2.4 Determinants of lateral preference and functional motor asymmetry in acquisition, retention and transfer of learning.

1. Learning Outcomes and Motor Performance Measures.

3.1 Curves of performance in the processes of learning acquisition, retention and transfer.

3.2 Measures of error in accuracy tasks.

3.3 Measures of time and speed. The paradigmatic and motivating task of Fitts.

3.4. Measures of magnitude.

3.5 Kinetic and kinematic measures: practice makes perfect.

3.6. Electromyography and brain activity measures.

3.7. Measures of motor coordination.

1. Organization and Planning: how the structure of practice influences learning.

4.1. Practice specificity and variability.

4.2. Amount and distribution of practice.

4.3. Whole and part practice.

4.4. Mental practice.

1. Demonstration, Verbal Instruction and Augmented Feedback

5.1. Demonstration and verbal instruction.

5.2. Classification and types of augmented feedback.

5.3. Functions of augmented feedback.

5.4. Phases of augmented feedback.

5.5. Provide augmented feedback.

5.6. Metacognition and emotional involvement.

1. Processing Information and Making Decisions

6.1. Difference between stimulus and information.

6.2. Processing Information Stages. The law of Hick.

6.3. Decision making and anticipation.

6.4. Decision making under conditions of activation and anxiety. The perceptual narrowing concept.

Mandatory literature

Magill Richard A.; Motor learning and control. ISBN: 978-0-07-110697-9
Schmidt Richard A.; Motor learning and performance. ISBN: 978-0-7360-6964-9
Tani Go 340; Comportamento motor
Passos Pedro 340; Comportamento motor, controlo e aprendizagem. ISBN: 978-972-735-192-3
Barreiros Joao M. P.; Aprendizagem motora
Utley Andrea; Motor control, learning and development. ISBN: 978-0-415-39139-9

Teaching methods and learning activities

Master classes.
Laboratory classes for familiarization with the various methodological designs, instruments and research procedures in the field of Motor Learning.
Fieldwork.
Discussion groups.

Software

Moodle

keywords

Health sciences

Evaluation Type

Distributed evaluation with final exam

Assessment Components

designation	Weight (%)
Apresentação/discussão de um trabalho científico	10,00
Exame	60,00
Trabalho escrito	30,00
Total:	100,00

Amount of time allocated to each course unit

designation	Time (hours)
Apresentação/discussão de um trabalho científico	2,00
Elaboração de projeto	2,00
Estudo autónomo	64,00
Frequência das aulas	60,00
Trabalho de campo	10,00
Trabalho de investigação	4,00
Trabalho escrito	20,00
Total:	162,00

Eligibility for exams

To access the final exam or the appeal exam, students will have to fulfill the following criteria: attend at least 75% of the classes;

Calculation formula of final grade

Evaluation Components

1. Components of the Distributed Evaluation: Group practical work + Public defense of practical work
2. Final exam

Classification of the Distributed Evaluation = practical work classification*0.3 (with self-classification and hetero classification) + public defense classification of the practical work*0.10 (with self-classification and hetero classification)

Final Classification = classification of distributed evaluation + final exam classification*0.6

Appeal Exam - for all students not approved in the Final Evaluation and improvement of classification concerning final exam

Appeal Exam Classification = classification of Distributed Evaluation + Exam classification 0.6*

The classification concerning the components of Distributed Evaluation and Exam (final and appeal) cannot be less than 47.5% (9.5 on a scale of 0 to 20) of the respective value.

The written (group) work and the respective presentation / discussion is a mandatory component of the final classification.

Examinations or Special Assignments

Special assessment (TE, DA, ...)

Classification improvement

The improvement of classification can be achieved only through the Exam. The exam for improvement of classification will involve all the theoretical and practical contents.

Observations

In the hetero-evaluation of practical group work and its presentation:

- After having been assigned by the teachers a classification to the practical work of group, the group must gather and carry out the self-assessment and heterovaluation. The resulting classification, even if differentiated among its elements, must be rounded to the first decimal place, with the classification attributed by the CU professor (s) to the work.

- In the hetero-evaluation of group work and its presentation, a rating of less than 47.5% (9.5 values on a scale of 0 to 20 values) can not be assigned to any member of the group. If this is the intention, the regent of the CU should be consulted.

In this CU are assumed the basic knowledge of Sports Pedagogy, Developmental Psychology, Motor Development and Statistics.

This CU is part of the e-learning component of the University of Porto, using the Moodle platform.