Motor Behavior Basics
This type of skill is performed in a stable and predictable environment.
Closed skill
EPSPs greater than IPSPs result in this effect.
Facilitation
Which contraction type can produce the greatest force?
Eccentric
Marathon running primarily takes place in this anatomical plane.
Sagittal
This principle describes how stretching a muscle quickly before contraction increases force.
Stretch-shortening cycle
This proprioceptor detects stretch and initiates the stretch reflex.
Muscle spindle
Which sense often provides the most dominant feedback for motor control?
Vision
The ventral root of the spinal cord carries this type of signal.
Efferent/motor
What plane does a bench press primarily take place in?
Transverse plane
According to Fitts & Posner, this stage is when movements become automatic.
Autonomous stage
The brainstem is known for coordinating these types of motor skills.
Rapid, smooth, coordinated movements / timing & precision
Which property describes a muscle’s ability to shorten and produce force?
Contractility
The frontal plane rotates around this axis.
Anterior–posterior axis
Stored muscle force released rapidly through the tendon is called this.
Power amplification
This proprioceptor detects force/tension in tendons and protects against overload.
Golgi tendon organ
This type of sensory flow contains information about velocity, direction, and time to contact.
Optical flow
What is the definition of neuroplasticity?
The ability of the nervous system to change its activity or structure, e.g., new synapses, altered maps
The deltoid acts as this type of muscle during a bicep curl.
Stabilizer/Fixator
In Bernstein’s model, the advanced stage involves doing this with the limbs.
Releasing the limbs
The number of different inputs for a neuron to reach threshold is called this.
Spatial summation
Explain the difference between a fast ballistic and a slow isometric contraction.
Ballistic = rapid, high firing rate, power-focused; Isometric = static hold, no movement, high force without speed
Identify the agonist and antagonist during elbow flexion.
Agonist = biceps brachii; Antagonist = triceps brachii
Define energy conservation in the muscle–tendon complex.
External forces stretch tendon/muscle, energy stored in elastic elements, then released by recoil
The Golgi tendon reflex causes the agonist muscle to do what?
Relax/inhibit
Distinguish between focal and ambient vision.
Focal = conscious, detailed, central vision; Ambient = unconscious, spatial orientation, peripheral
What does SAD DAVE stand for?
Sensory = Afferent = Dorsal
Dorsal = Afferent Ventral = Efferent
High jumping is a motor skill that primarily uses this type of ability.
Psychomotor ability
Which theory emphasizes perception–action coupling?
Ecological Theory
Feed-forward motor commands are also called this type of control
Open-loop control
In the length–tension relationship, when is the muscle strongest?
At resting length — optimal actin-myosin overlap
What movement does the pectoralis major perform during a bench press?
Horizontal adduction of the humerus
High external forces absorbed by muscle after passing through elastic elements is called this.
Power attenuation
The reflex combining withdrawal on one side and extension on the other is called what?
Crossed extensor reflex
Compare sensitivity, acuity, and receptive field.
Sensitivity = detect stimulus, Acuity = precision from group of receptors, Receptive field = area where receptors sense stimulus
The cerebellum is primarily responsible for what type of motor function
Coordinating smooth, precise, rapid movements; timing and organization
The stretch reflex causes what response in the muscle that was rapidly stretched?
A concentric contraction of the same muscle
Differentiate between discrete, serial, and continuous skills with one example of each.
Ex: Discrete = free throw, Serial = triple jump, Continuous = running
Explain the difference between feed-forward and feedback motor control.
FF = preprogrammed/open-loop; FB = uses sensory input/closed-loop
Why does eccentric contraction allow for more force than concentric contraction?
Cross-bridges resist being pulled apart + passive elastic components add force
Identify the agonist, antagonist, synergist, fixator, and neutralizer in a bicep curl.
Agonist = biceps brachii; Antagonist = triceps brachii; Synergist = brachialis/brachioradialis; Fixator = rotator cuff; Neutralizer = triceps preventing shoulder shoulder extension)
Give one sport example each of energy conservation, power amplification, and power attenuation.
Conservation = distance running efficiency; Amplification = vertical jump; Attenuation = soft landing in gymnastics
Define arthrogenic muscle inhibition (AMI)
Inhibitory effect of joint kinesthetic receptors and capsule on surrounding musculature
What is the main role of central vision compared to foveal and peripheral vision?
Central vision supports conscious object identification and guides precise motor actions, while foveal vision handles fine detail and peripheral vision provides spatial orientation and motion awareness.
Explain the difference between central fatigue and peripheral fatigue.
Central = CNS/PNS unable to drive output; Peripheral = muscle itself unable to generate expected force
Define intermuscular coordination.
Coordination of muscle groups and body segments to produce efficient movement within task/environmental demand