Outline

Academic unit	Movement Sciences
Unit code	EXSS3062
Unit name	Motor Control and Learning
Session, year ?	Semester 1, 2022
Attendance mode	Normal day
Location	Camperdown/Darlington, Sydney
Credit points	6

Prohibitions ?	EXSS2025
Prerequisites ?	Completion of 48 credit points
Corequisites ?	None
Available to study abroad and exchange students	No

Coordinator	Stephen Cobley, stephen.cobley@sydney.edu.au
Lecturer(s)	Stephen Cobley , stephen.cobley@sydney.edu.au
Tutor(s)	Shane Ball , s.ball@sydney.edu.au
Administrative staff	SHS Education Support Email: shs.ltadmin@sydney.edu.au

Type	Description	Weight	Due	Length
Final exam (Record+)	Online MCL Final Exam Two components: Part A 1 hr MCQ's; Part B 1 hr Long-Answer Questions.	45%	Formal exam period	2 hours
Outcomes assessed:
Assignment	Lecture Quizzes (MC2-6 + ML2-6) 5 * 6 MCQs Online	5%	Week 08 Due date: 13 Apr 2022 at 08:00 Closing date: 13 Apr 2022	5 * 10 minutes per lecture quiz
Outcomes assessed:
Assignment	Motor Skill Learning Project Video - Group Assignment Motor Skill Learning Project - Group work.	15%	Week 11 Due date: 11 May 2022 at 23:59 Closing date: 11 May 2022	4 - minute video summary
Outcomes assessed:
Assignment	Motor Skill Learning Project - Group Written Assignment Group Written Assignment	35%	Week 12 Due date: 20 May 2022 at 23:59 Closing date: 05 Nov 2021	2,500 words +- 10%
Outcomes assessed:
= group assignment ? = Type B final exam ?

WK	Topic	Learning activity
Week 01	MC1: Introduction: Defining motor control, motor skill, motor performance, learning & measurement.	Lecture (1 hr)
ML1: Introduction to the Constraints-based framework for skill acquisition.	Lecture (1 hr)
Introduction: Assignment of practical experiment topics; Completion of Experiment 1: Mental & physical practice in motor learning; Overview of presentation guidelines.	Tutorial (2 hr)
Week 02	MC2: Acquiring Sensory Information: Sensory input to motor control – Touch, Muscle spindles & GTOs.	Lecture (1 hr)
ML2: Stages of learning & transitions with skill acquisition.	Lecture (1 hr)
Experiment 2: Augmented feedback & physical guidance; Experiment 3: The effect of practice on dual-task performance.	Tutorial (2 hr)
Week 03	MC3: Acquiring Sensory Information: Sensory input to motor control – Joint receptors, efference copy & internal models	Lecture (1 hr)
ML3: Individual (organismic) factors affecting skill acqusition.	Lecture (1 hr)
Strategies for experiment evaluation and question presentation; Group activity preparation for questions; Information & strategies for motor learning project planning & methodology.	Tutorial (2 hr)
Week 04	MC4: Acquiring Sensory Information: Sensory input to motor control – Balance & vision.	Lecture (1 hr)
ML4: Practice structure in skill acquisition 1	Lecture (1 hr)
Presentation of mini-experiment findings (small-group activity); Introduction to motor skill learning project.	Tutorial (2 hr)
Week 05	MC5: Processing Sensory Information: Stages & time taken for information processing, reaction time & movement planning.	Lecture (1 hr)
ML5: Practice structure in skill acquisition 2	Lecture (1 hr)
Developing the Motor Skill Learning Project Plan - Submit a 2-page project plan.	Tutorial (2 hr)
Week 06	MC6: Processing Sensory Information: The need for attention.	Lecture (1 hr)
ML6: Types of feedback and their influence on skill acquisition 1	Lecture (1 hr)
Week 07	MC7 & ML7: Motor Control & Motor Learning Q & A + Revision Session MC7 & ML7: Introduction to video recording + analysis for motor learning project	Lecture (2 hr)
Week 08	MC8: Processing Sensory Information: The need for neural signalling with short & long-term memory storage areas.	Lecture (1 hr)
ML8: Types of feedback and their influence on skill acquisition 2	Lecture (1 hr)
MCL Group Training Project: Progress Check Tutorial; Instruction briefing for group project video submission and project presentations.	Tutorial (1 hr)
Week 09	MC9: Motor Control: Movement control hierarchy, coordination & synergies.	Lecture (1 hr)
ML9: Errors in skill acquisition & performance 1	Lecture (1 hr)
Week 10	MC10: Motor Control: Movement energetics & regulation of muscle force.	Lecture (1 hr)
ML10: Errors in skill acquisition and performance 2	Lecture (1 hr)
Week 11	MC11: Motor Control: Change in energetics & information processing with skill learning.	Lecture (1 hr)
ML11: Changes in skill acquisition across the lifespan 1	Lecture (1 hr)
Group Motor Skill Learning Project Presentation (including final skill performance).	Tutorial (2 hr)
Week 12	MC12: Motor Control Adaptation - The speed-accuracy trade-off.	Lecture (1 hr)
ML12: Changes in skill acquisition across the lifespan 2	Lecture (1 hr)
Week 13	MC13: A review of Motor Control + Exam Preparation.	Lecture (1 hr)
ML13: A review of Motor Learning + Exam Preparation.	Lecture (1 hr)

Learning outcomes are what students know, understand and are able to do on completion of a unit of study. They are aligned with the University’s graduate qualities and are assessed as part of the curriculum.

At the completion of this unit, you should be able to:

LO1. 11.3.1 Describe the structure and function of the neuromuscular and sensory systems as they relate to the control of voluntary and involuntary movement, motor learning and skill acquisition.
LO2. 11.3.2 Identify the strengths and limitations of techniques to assess aspects of motor control and the processes of motor learning and skill acquisition.
LO3. 11.3.3 Explain the changes in motor function or motor performance that may occur with motor learning, skill acquisition, aging and injury.
LO4. 11.3.4 Discuss the common theoretical models proposed to explain motor control and the processes of motor learning and skill acquisition.
LO5. 11.3.5 Examine aspects of a client’s motor function or motor performance as appropriate in health, exercise and sporting contexts.
LO6. 11.3.6 Use appropriate test protocols to imply motor learning outcomes.
LO7. 11.3.7 Design motor learning environments and protocols to maximise each client’s specific motor control and learning outcomes, as appropriate in health, exercise or sporting contexts
LO8. 11.3.8 Integrate knowledge of and skills in motor control and learning with other study areas of exercise science.

Graduate qualities

The graduate qualities are the qualities and skills that all University of Sydney graduates must demonstrate on successful completion of an award course. As a future Sydney graduate, the set of qualities have been designed to equip you for the contemporary world.

GQ1	Depth of disciplinary expertise Deep disciplinary expertise is the ability to integrate and rigorously apply knowledge, understanding and skills of a recognised discipline defined by scholarly activity, as well as familiarity with evolving practice of the discipline.
GQ2	Critical thinking and problem solving Critical thinking and problem solving are the questioning of ideas, evidence and assumptions in order to propose and evaluate hypotheses or alternative arguments before formulating a conclusion or a solution to an identified problem.
GQ3	Oral and written communication Effective communication, in both oral and written form, is the clear exchange of meaning in a manner that is appropriate to audience and context.
GQ4	Information and digital literacy Information and digital literacy is the ability to locate, interpret, evaluate, manage, adapt, integrate, create and convey information using appropriate resources, tools and strategies.
GQ5	Inventiveness Generating novel ideas and solutions.
GQ6	Cultural competence Cultural Competence is the ability to actively, ethically, respectfully, and successfully engage across and between cultures. In the Australian context, this includes and celebrates Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures, knowledge systems, and a mature understanding of contemporary issues.
GQ7	Interdisciplinary effectiveness Interdisciplinary effectiveness is the integration and synthesis of multiple viewpoints and practices, working effectively across disciplinary boundaries.
GQ8	Integrated professional, ethical, and personal identity An integrated professional, ethical and personal identity is understanding the interaction between one’s personal and professional selves in an ethical context.
GQ9	Influence Engaging others in a process, idea or vision.

Outcome map

Learning outcomes	Graduate qualities
Learning outcomes

Alignment with Competency standards

Outcomes	Competency standards
	Accredited Exercise Physiologist Professional Standards - 11.4.3. Evaluate functional body mechanics and the interrelationship to the rehabilitation setting and needs. 3.3.8. Explain the principles of body mechanics.
	Accredited Exercise Physiologist Professional Standards - 11.4.11. Compose, deliver and revise safe and effective functional exercise and workplace rehabilitation programs that consider client clinical status and needs, treatment objectives/progress, influencing parameters and protocol/guidelines including age appropriate exercise guidelines and final phase rehabilitation/functional conditions/return to play guidelines. 11.4.12. Employ behavioural change strategies and revise communication to facilitate mitigation of cognitive, behavioural and other influencing factors on treatment progression for individual musculoskeletal and rehabilitation clients. 11.4.2. Appraise the mode, intensity, duration frequency, volume and progression on clinical outcomes for musculoskeletal clients. 11.4.6. Select and employ pre-employment and other screening tools/techniques within the AEP scope of practice to establish client baseline exercise and functional capacity; inform exercise prescription and monitor client progression. 11.4.8. Recognise clinical signs and symptoms of adverse musculoskeletal response and identify and respond to changes in clinical status, co-morbidities, exercise and functional capacity, inter and intra session. 2.3.4. Illustrate fundamental behaviour change determinants, principles, theories and their application to improving client exercise compliance and lifestyle choices including exercise and nutrition. 3.3.5. Choose and apply (before, during and after assessment and exercise) guidelines and measurement tools/techniques to measure and assess clients’ clinical and functional status; and safe and effective exercise ranges and limits, for all target conditions in the musculoskeletal and cardiovascular domains and a broad range of target conditions across the other AEP pathology domains. 4.3.2. Design safe and effective exercise plans that consider available scientific evidence, client treatment goals, medical history, clinical status, screening and assessments information and other influencing factors. 4.3.3. Design and revise functional capacity assessments and interventions that consider the clients’ needs, capabilities, duties and/or workplace setting/requirements.
	Accredited Exercise Physiologist Professional Standards - 11.4.3. Evaluate functional body mechanics and the interrelationship to the rehabilitation setting and needs. 11.4.8. Recognise clinical signs and symptoms of adverse musculoskeletal response and identify and respond to changes in clinical status, co-morbidities, exercise and functional capacity, inter and intra session. 12.4.8. Employ behavioural change strategies and revise communication to accommodate decreased executive function in neurological clients; accommodate changes in neurological client clinical status inter and intra session; and facilitate mitigation of cognitive, behavioural and other influencing factors on treatment progression for individual neurological and rehabilitation clients. 12.4.9. Relay and report initial and changed status/progress to key stakeholders including client and referrer, considering good reporting principles and legislative and compensable scheme requirements. 2.3.4. Illustrate fundamental behaviour change determinants, principles, theories and their application to improving client exercise compliance and lifestyle choices including exercise and nutrition. 3.3.4. Formulate measurement actions, monitoring actions, and strategies to manage client clinical status and changes in clinical status before, during and after assessment and exercise, for all target conditions in the musculoskeletal and cardiovascular domains and a broad range of AEP target conditions across the other AEP pathology domains. 3.3.5. Choose and apply (before, during and after assessment and exercise) guidelines and measurement tools/techniques to measure and assess clients’ clinical and functional status; and safe and effective exercise ranges and limits, for all target conditions in the musculoskeletal and cardiovascular domains and a broad range of target conditions across the other AEP pathology domains. 5.3.4. Practise behaviour change techniques and strategies and responses to changes in clinical situation including employing first-aid techniques. 6.4.3. Identify and respond to changes in clinical status, co-morbidities, exercise and functional capacity, between and during exercise sessions. 7.4.6. Identify and respond to changes in clinical status, co-morbidities, exercise and functional capacity inter and intra sessions. 8.4.4. Identify and respond to changes in clinical status, co-morbidities, exercise and functional capacity, during and between exercise sessions.
	Accredited Exercise Physiologist Professional Standards - 11.4.12. Employ behavioural change strategies and revise communication to facilitate mitigation of cognitive, behavioural and other influencing factors on treatment progression for individual musculoskeletal and rehabilitation clients. 11.4.3. Evaluate functional body mechanics and the interrelationship to the rehabilitation setting and needs. 2.3.4. Illustrate fundamental behaviour change determinants, principles, theories and their application to improving client exercise compliance and lifestyle choices including exercise and nutrition. 3.3.9. Discuss core principles of functional capacity as it relates to regulations, scientific evidence, safe practice, client need and a multi-disciplinary care environment.
	Accredited Exercise Physiologist Professional Standards - 1.3.4. Employ evidence-based practice and professional clinical practice principles in the practice of the profession of an AEP. 10.4.6. Identify changes in clinical status that need to be reported/referred onwards to deliver safe and effective client centred care in a multi-disciplinary care environment. 11.4.10. Practise employing pre-screening tools; exercise and functional capacity techniques; and active, passive and resistive assessment tests within the boundaries of the ESSA AEP Scope of practice. 11.4.3. Evaluate functional body mechanics and the interrelationship to the rehabilitation setting and needs. 11.4.9. Practise musculoskeletal assessments before exercise on musculoskeletal cohort clients. 12.4.3. Consider medications, surgical, medical and allied health interventions/treatments, clinical and safety risks and their implications on clinical status, exercise and functional capacity, acute and chronic exercise response in the design and delivery of safe and effective exercise for individual neurological clients. 12.4.4. Recognise adverse clinical signs and symptoms and identify and respond to changes in clinical status, co-morbidities, exercise and functional capacity, intra session and formulate response(s) to changing clinical situations. 12.4.7. Practise employing tools/techniques to measure client clinical status and interpreting clinical status results and their implications for safe and effective exercise participation for neurological clientele. 2.3.1. Differentiate the pathological and pathophysiological bases for all target conditions in the musculoskeletal and cardiovascular domains and a broad range of the AEP target conditions across the other AEP pathology domains. 2.3.4. Illustrate fundamental behaviour change determinants, principles, theories and their application to improving client exercise compliance and lifestyle choices including exercise and nutrition. 3.3.1. Differentiate contraindications for exercise for all target conditions in the musculoskeletal and cardiovascular domains and a broad range of target conditions across the other AEP pathology domains. 3.3.10. Formulate and demonstrate measurement, evaluation and reporting of functional capacity that includes evaluation plans and considers a variety of settings including clinical/private practice, tertiary care, pre-employment, workplace, recreation and sports settings. 3.3.2. Formulate comprehensive client histories that consider clinical risk and clinical safety factors and reasons for exercise. 3.3.3. Judge clients’ stratified exercise risk including when to refer onwards. 3.3.4. Formulate measurement actions, monitoring actions, and strategies to manage client clinical status and changes in clinical status before, during and after assessment and exercise, for all target conditions in the musculoskeletal and cardiovascular domains and a broad range of AEP target conditions across the other AEP pathology domains. 3.3.5. Choose and apply (before, during and after assessment and exercise) guidelines and measurement tools/techniques to measure and assess clients’ clinical and functional status; and safe and effective exercise ranges and limits, for all target conditions in the musculoskeletal and cardiovascular domains and a broad range of target conditions across the other AEP pathology domains. 3.3.6. Recognise, interpret, revise and demonstrate in client-centred, multi-disciplinary care models, responses to changing risk factors, safety factors and clinical situations before, during and after assessments and exercise (including first-aid response), for all target conditions in the musculoskeletal and cardiovascular domains and a broad range of target conditions across the other AEP pathology domains. 3.3.7. Formulate and demonstrate measurement, evaluation and reporting of exercise capacity including verbal and written communication with clients, referrer and other relevant stakeholders. 3.3.9. Discuss core principles of functional capacity as it relates to regulations, scientific evidence, safe practice, client need and a multi-disciplinary care environment. 4.3.2. Design safe and effective exercise plans that consider available scientific evidence, client treatment goals, medical history, clinical status, screening and assessments information and other influencing factors. 4.3.3. Design and revise functional capacity assessments and interventions that consider the clients’ needs, capabilities, duties and/or workplace setting/requirements.
	Accredited Exercise Physiologist Professional Standards - 1.3.4. Employ evidence-based practice and professional clinical practice principles in the practice of the profession of an AEP. 11.4.10. Practise employing pre-screening tools; exercise and functional capacity techniques; and active, passive and resistive assessment tests within the boundaries of the ESSA AEP Scope of practice. 11.4.11. Compose, deliver and revise safe and effective functional exercise and workplace rehabilitation programs that consider client clinical status and needs, treatment objectives/progress, influencing parameters and protocol/guidelines including age appropriate exercise guidelines and final phase rehabilitation/functional conditions/return to play guidelines. 11.4.6. Select and employ pre-employment and other screening tools/techniques within the AEP scope of practice to establish client baseline exercise and functional capacity; inform exercise prescription and monitor client progression. 11.4.7. Consider medications, surgical, medical and allied health interventions/treatments, clinical and safety risks, co-morbidities, indications, contraindications, exercise setting, treatment objectives and their implications on clinical status, exercise and functional capacity, and the design and delivery of safe and effective exercise and intervention plans for individual musculoskeletal, rehabilitation and pre-employment clients. 2.3.2. Distinguish common diagnostic procedures, medical, surgical and other interventions, and commonly prescribed medications for a broad range of target conditions across all AEP pathology domains. 3.3.4. Formulate measurement actions, monitoring actions, and strategies to manage client clinical status and changes in clinical status before, during and after assessment and exercise, for all target conditions in the musculoskeletal and cardiovascular domains and a broad range of AEP target conditions across the other AEP pathology domains. 3.3.5. Choose and apply (before, during and after assessment and exercise) guidelines and measurement tools/techniques to measure and assess clients’ clinical and functional status; and safe and effective exercise ranges and limits, for all target conditions in the musculoskeletal and cardiovascular domains and a broad range of target conditions across the other AEP pathology domains. 4.3.1. Formulate strategies to manage negative influencing factors on client behaviours. 4.3.2. Design safe and effective exercise plans that consider available scientific evidence, client treatment goals, medical history, clinical status, screening and assessments information and other influencing factors. 4.3.3. Design and revise functional capacity assessments and interventions that consider the clients’ needs, capabilities, duties and/or workplace setting/requirements. 5.3.1. Deliver safe and effective exercise plans that consider available scientific evidence, client treatment goals, medical history, clinical status and other influencing factors. 5.3.2. Deliver safe and effective exercise interventions to affect positive changes in exercise and functional capacity; health and wellness behaviours and that consider influencing factors including risk, safety, individual and sociocultural/economic factors. 5.3.4. Practise behaviour change techniques and strategies and responses to changes in clinical situation including employing first-aid techniques.
	Accredited Exercise Physiologist Professional Standards - 11.4.11. Compose, deliver and revise safe and effective functional exercise and workplace rehabilitation programs that consider client clinical status and needs, treatment objectives/progress, influencing parameters and protocol/guidelines including age appropriate exercise guidelines and final phase rehabilitation/functional conditions/return to play guidelines. 11.4.12. Employ behavioural change strategies and revise communication to facilitate mitigation of cognitive, behavioural and other influencing factors on treatment progression for individual musculoskeletal and rehabilitation clients. 11.4.2. Appraise the mode, intensity, duration frequency, volume and progression on clinical outcomes for musculoskeletal clients. 12.4.3. Consider medications, surgical, medical and allied health interventions/treatments, clinical and safety risks and their implications on clinical status, exercise and functional capacity, acute and chronic exercise response in the design and delivery of safe and effective exercise for individual neurological clients. 12.4.8. Employ behavioural change strategies and revise communication to accommodate decreased executive function in neurological clients; accommodate changes in neurological client clinical status inter and intra session; and facilitate mitigation of cognitive, behavioural and other influencing factors on treatment progression for individual neurological and rehabilitation clients. 3.3.10. Formulate and demonstrate measurement, evaluation and reporting of functional capacity that includes evaluation plans and considers a variety of settings including clinical/private practice, tertiary care, pre-employment, workplace, recreation and sports settings. 3.3.4. Formulate measurement actions, monitoring actions, and strategies to manage client clinical status and changes in clinical status before, during and after assessment and exercise, for all target conditions in the musculoskeletal and cardiovascular domains and a broad range of AEP target conditions across the other AEP pathology domains. 3.3.5. Choose and apply (before, during and after assessment and exercise) guidelines and measurement tools/techniques to measure and assess clients’ clinical and functional status; and safe and effective exercise ranges and limits, for all target conditions in the musculoskeletal and cardiovascular domains and a broad range of target conditions across the other AEP pathology domains. 3.3.6. Recognise, interpret, revise and demonstrate in client-centred, multi-disciplinary care models, responses to changing risk factors, safety factors and clinical situations before, during and after assessments and exercise (including first-aid response), for all target conditions in the musculoskeletal and cardiovascular domains and a broad range of target conditions across the other AEP pathology domains. 3.3.7. Formulate and demonstrate measurement, evaluation and reporting of exercise capacity including verbal and written communication with clients, referrer and other relevant stakeholders. 4.3.2. Design safe and effective exercise plans that consider available scientific evidence, client treatment goals, medical history, clinical status, screening and assessments information and other influencing factors. 5.3.1. Deliver safe and effective exercise plans that consider available scientific evidence, client treatment goals, medical history, clinical status and other influencing factors. 5.3.2. Deliver safe and effective exercise interventions to affect positive changes in exercise and functional capacity; health and wellness behaviours and that consider influencing factors including risk, safety, individual and sociocultural/economic factors. 5.3.4. Practise behaviour change techniques and strategies and responses to changes in clinical situation including employing first-aid techniques.
	Accredited Exercise Physiologist Professional Standards - 1.3.1. Illustrate the scope of practice of Accredited Exercise Physiologist (AEP) and the scope of roles available for AEP practice. 11.4.4. Examine: the scope of exercise physiology practice in rehabilitation and return to optimised function environments; and the use and limitations in use of common diagnostic tests to inform exercise prescription. 11.4.5. Compare the roles of Accredited Exercise Physiologist (AEP) and other health professionals in delivering care to musculoskeletal clientele in multi-disciplinary care and rehabilitation environments. 12.4.5. Practise setting up an appropriate exercise environment that accommodates the accessibility and mobilisation needs of the neurological client and manual handling techniques to assist with client transfers within the parameters of professional practice. 13.4.7. Relay and report initial and changed status/progress to key health professionals including client and referrer, considering good reporting principles and legislative and compensable scheme requirements. 3.3.4. Formulate measurement actions, monitoring actions, and strategies to manage client clinical status and changes in clinical status before, during and after assessment and exercise, for all target conditions in the musculoskeletal and cardiovascular domains and a broad range of AEP target conditions across the other AEP pathology domains. 3.3.5. Choose and apply (before, during and after assessment and exercise) guidelines and measurement tools/techniques to measure and assess clients’ clinical and functional status; and safe and effective exercise ranges and limits, for all target conditions in the musculoskeletal and cardiovascular domains and a broad range of target conditions across the other AEP pathology domains. 3.3.6. Recognise, interpret, revise and demonstrate in client-centred, multi-disciplinary care models, responses to changing risk factors, safety factors and clinical situations before, during and after assessments and exercise (including first-aid response), for all target conditions in the musculoskeletal and cardiovascular domains and a broad range of target conditions across the other AEP pathology domains. 3.3.7. Formulate and demonstrate measurement, evaluation and reporting of exercise capacity including verbal and written communication with clients, referrer and other relevant stakeholders. 3.3.9. Discuss core principles of functional capacity as it relates to regulations, scientific evidence, safe practice, client need and a multi-disciplinary care environment. 7.4.2. Compare the roles of health professionals in delivering multi-disciplinary care to cardiovascular clientele.

Current students

Overview

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Teaching staff and contact details

Assessment

Assessment criteria

Late submission

Special consideration

Academic integrity

Weekly schedule

Attendance and class requirements

Study commitment

Required readings