, Life span motor development Haywood and Getchell
Chapter 1 Fundamental Concepts
Characteristics of Motor development:
Change in movement behaviour
Sequential
Age –related
Continuous
Underlying process(es)
Motor learning: Relatively permanent gains in motor skill capability associated
with practice or experience
Motor control: The neural, physical and behavioural aspects of movements
Physical growth: Quantitative increase in size or body mass.
Physiological maturation: Qualitative advance in biological makeup and may refer
to cell, organ or system advancement in biochemical composition rather than to
size alone.
Aging: The process occurring with the passage of time, that leads to loss of
adaptability or full function and eventually to death.
Constraints: A constraint is a characteristic of the individual, environment or task
that encourages some movements while discouraging others.
There are three types of constraints:
1. Individual constraints; are a person’s or organism’s unique physical and
mental characteristics.
Exists within the body
Structural constraints; Are individual constraints related to the body’s
structure.
Related to the body’s structure weight, height. Muscle mass.
Functional constraints; are individual constraints related to behavioural
function.
Attention and motivation
2. Environmental constraints; are constraints related to the world around
us.
Exists outside the body
Global, not task specific
Physical: gravity/ surfaces
Socio-cultural: Gender roles
3. Task constraints; Include the goals of a particular movement or activity,
the rule structure surrounding that movement or activity, and choices of
equipment.
External to the body
Related specifically to tasks or skills
Goal of task
Rules guiding task performance
Equipment.
Newell’s model of constraints
Chapter 1 Fundamental Concepts
Characteristics of Motor development:
Change in movement behaviour
Sequential
Age –related
Continuous
Underlying process(es)
Motor learning: Relatively permanent gains in motor skill capability associated
with practice or experience
Motor control: The neural, physical and behavioural aspects of movements
Physical growth: Quantitative increase in size or body mass.
Physiological maturation: Qualitative advance in biological makeup and may refer
to cell, organ or system advancement in biochemical composition rather than to
size alone.
Aging: The process occurring with the passage of time, that leads to loss of
adaptability or full function and eventually to death.
Constraints: A constraint is a characteristic of the individual, environment or task
that encourages some movements while discouraging others.
There are three types of constraints:
1. Individual constraints; are a person’s or organism’s unique physical and
mental characteristics.
Exists within the body
Structural constraints; Are individual constraints related to the body’s
structure.
Related to the body’s structure weight, height. Muscle mass.
Functional constraints; are individual constraints related to behavioural
function.
Attention and motivation
2. Environmental constraints; are constraints related to the world around
us.
Exists outside the body
Global, not task specific
Physical: gravity/ surfaces
Socio-cultural: Gender roles
3. Task constraints; Include the goals of a particular movement or activity,
the rule structure surrounding that movement or activity, and choices of
equipment.
External to the body
Related specifically to tasks or skills
Goal of task
Rules guiding task performance
Equipment.
Newell’s model of constraints
