PEP 7397 - History of Motor Control

Conceptual Framework of the College of Education - Collaboration for Learning and Leading

In the spirit of the College of Education's conceptual framework this course exposes the students to the collaborative efforts of teachers, medical doctors, research scientists, philosopher's, and engineers to gain a comprehensive understanding of the development of the field of motor control. This collaborative approach is reflected in the many techniques used to deliver course content and the varied assessments all designed to prepare the students to assume leading roles in society in the professional area of movement and rehabilitative sciences.

Course Overview

Catalog Description:  Motor control history from the Egyptians until current period.  Emphasis placed on interrelationship between discoveries of previous eras with current era and the role technology played in the advancement of the field. 

Course Description:  This course is designed to teach graduate students about important scientific discoveries, philosophical shifts in thinking about how movement is controlled and the role prominent  individuals played in the development of the motor control. 

Note 1 - All rules regarding student conduct, sexual harassment, and academic dishonesty will be strictly enforced and the professor reserves the right to impose stricter penalties, including issuing a failing grade, than those provided in any and all student handbook(s) or regulations. Click here to read the UH academic dishonesty policy.

Required Textbook - Classics in Movement Science, Latash, M.L., and Zatsiorsky, V.M. (eds.)  2001.

Course Objectives

The student will:

1) demonstrate knowledge of the important scientific discoveries that advanced the field of motor control

2) demonstrate knowledge of the prominent scientists/physicians/philosophers whose writings advanced the field of motor control

3) demonstrate an understanding concerning how previous philosophical positions influenced the development of new thinking regarding movement control

4) demonstrate an understanding concerning how the organization of society influenced the advancement of the field of motor control

5) demonstrate an understanding of historical and current theories of movement control

Grading

Class presentations

Attendance

Weekly writing assignments

Midterm examination

Final examination

Grading Scale

·  A = 94%

·  A- = 90%

·  B+ = 87%

·  B = 83%

·  B- = 80%

·  C+ = 77%

·  C = 73%

·  C- = 70%

·  D = 63%

·  D- = 60%

When possible, and in accordance with 504/ADA guidelines, we will attempt to provide reasonable academic accommodations to students who request and require them.  Please call the Center for Students with DisABILITIES at ext. 713.743-5400 for more assistance.

Statement on Course Material. Some of the writings, lectures, films, or presentations in this course may include material that conflicts with the core beliefs of some students.  Please review the syllabus carefully to see if the course is one that you are committed to taking.  If you have a concern, please discuss it with me at your earliest convenience.

PEP 7397 – Readings in the History of Motor Control

 

Week 1 - Survey of Early Milestones with Timeline

Week 2 Survey of Early Milestones with Timeline

Week 3 - Bryan, W.L. and Harter, N.  Studies in the Physiological and Psychology of the Telegraphic Language. 

Week 3 - Thorndike, E.L., Lay, W., and Dean, P.RThe Relation of Accuracy in Sensory Discrimination to General Intelligence.  The American Journal of Psychology, 20, 364-369, 1909.

Week 3 - Leuba, J.H. and Chamberlain, E.  The Influence of the Duration and of the Rate of Arm Movement Upon the Judgment of Their Length.  The American Journal of Psychology, 20, 374-385, 1909.

Week 4 - Newell, K.M. and Vailancourt, D.E.  Woodworth (1899):  Movement Variability and Theories of Motor Control.  Classics in Movement Science, Latash, M.L. and Zatsiorsky V.M. (eds.), 409-435, 2001.

Week 4 - Woodworth, R.S.  Reactions (Chapter 2).  Psychology:  A Study of Mental Life.  20- 44, 1921. 

Week 4 - Woodworth, R.S.  Reactions of Different Levels (Chapter 3).  Psychology:  A Study of Mental Life.  45-88, 1921.

Week 5 - Thorndike, E.L.  The Law of Effect.  The American Journal of Psychology, 39, 212-222, 1927.

Week 5 - McGraw, M.B.  Later Development of Children Specially Trained during Infancy:  Johnny and Jimmy at School Age.  Child Development 10(1), 1-19, 1939.

Week 5 - Newell, K.M.  Constraints of the Development of Coordination.  Motor Development in Children:  Aspects of Coordination and Control.  Wade, M.G. and Whiting H.T.A. (eds.), 341-360, 1986. 

Week 6 - Rothwell, J.C.  First Studies of the Organization of the Human Motor Cortex.  Classics in Movement Science, Latash, M.L. and Zatsiorsky V.M. (eds.), 273-288, 2001.

Week 6 - Pennfield W.  Functional Localization in Temporal and Deep Sylvian Areas  Research Publications - Association for Research in Nervous and Mental Disease, 36, 210-226, 1958.

Week 6 - Henneman, E., Somjen, G., Carpenter, D.O.  Functional Significance of Cell Size in Spinal Motoneurons.  Journal of Neurophysiology 28:560-80, 1965.

Week 7 - Stuart. D.G., Pierce, P.A., Callister, R.J., Brichta, A.M., and McDonagh, J.C.  Sir Charles S. Sherrington:  Humanist, Mentor, and Movement Neuroscientist.  Classics in Movement Science, Latash, M.L. and Zatsiorsky V.M. (eds.), 317-374, 2001.

Week 7 - Vilensky, J.A., and Gilman, S.  Involuntary Muscle Contractions Detected by Electromyography (EMG).  Classics in Movement Science, Latash, M.L. and Zatsiorsky V.M. (eds.), 101-122, 2001.

Week 8 - Von Holst, E.  Relations Between the Central Nervous System and the Peripheral Organs.  The British Journal of Animal Behavior, 11(2).  89-94, 1954.

Week 8 - Grillner, S. and Wallen, P.  Central Pattern Generators for Locomotion, with Special Reference to Vertebrates.  Annual Review of Neuroscience, 8: 233-61, 1985.

Week 9 - Midterm 

Week 10 - Bongaardt, R.  How Bernstein Conquered Movement.  Classics in Movement Science, Latash, M.L. and Zatsiorsky V.M. (eds.), 59-84, 2001.

Week 10 - Turvey, M.T., Fitch, H.F., Tuller, B.  The Bernstein Perspective:  1. The Problems of Degrees of Freedom and Context-Conditioned Variability.  Human Motor Behavior:  An Introduction.  Kelso, J.A.S. (ed).  239-252, 1982.

Week 10 - Tuller, B. Turvey, M.T., Fitch, H.F.  The Bernstein Perspective:  II. The Concept of Muscle Linkage or Coordinative Structure.  Human Motor Behavior:  An Introduction.  Kelso, J.A.S. (ed).  253-270, 1982.

Week 10 - Fitch, H.F., Tuller, B., Turvey, M.T. The Bernstein Perspective:   III. Tuning of Coordinative Structures with Special Reference to Perception.  Human Motor Behavior:  An Introduction.  Kelso, J.A.S. (ed).  271-281, 1982.

Week 11 - Craik, K.J.W.  Therory of the Human Operator in Control Systems.  I. The Operator as an Engineering System.  British Journal of Psychology, 38, 56-61, 1947/48.

Week 11 - Adams, J.A.  Issues for a Closed-Loop Theory of Motor Learning.  Motor Control:  Issues and Trends, Stelmach, G.E. (ed.)  87-107, 1976.

Week 11 - Marsden C.D., Merton, P.A., Morton, H.BServo Action in Human Voluntary Movement.  Nature 238, 140-143. 

Week 12 - Keele, S.W.  Movement Control in Skilled Motor Performance. Psychological Bulletin, 70(6), 387-403, 1968.   

Week 12 - Keele, S.W. and Summers, J.JThe Structure of Motor Programs.  Motor Control:  Issues and Trends, Stelmach, G.E. (ed.)  108-142, 1976.

Week 13 - Gibson, J.J.  2.4  The Uses of Perception and the Detection of Propriospecific Information.  Reasons for Realism.  Selected Essays of James J. Gibson.  Reed E. and Jones, R (eds.).  164-170, 1982.

Week 13 - Gibson, J.J.  4.6 Notes on Action.  Reasons for Realism.  Selected Essays of James J. Gibson.  Reed E. and Jones, R (eds.).  385-392, 1982.

Week 13 - Gibson, J.J.  4.8 The Myth of Passive Perception:  A Reply to Richards.  Reasons for Realism.  Selected Essays of James J. Gibson.  Reed E. and Jones, R (eds.).  397-400, 1982.

Week 13 - Gibson, J.J.  4.9  Notes on Affordances.  Reasons for Realism.  Selected Essays of James J. Gibson.  Reed E. and Jones, R (eds.).  401-418, 1982.

Week 13 - Greeno, J.G.  Gibson’s Affordances.  Psychological Review, 101:2, 336-342, 1994.

Week 14 - Kelso, J.A.S.  Contrasting Perspectives on Order and Regulation in Movement.  Attention and Performance IX, Long, J. and Baddeley, A. (eds.). 1981.

Week 14 - Thelen E. and Spencer, J.P.  Postural Control during Reaching in Young Infants:  A Dynamic Systems Approach.  Neuroscience and Biobehavioral Reviews 22(4), 507-514, 1998. 

Week 14 - Jeka, J.J and Kelso, J.A.S.  The Dynamic Pattern Approach to Coordinated Behavior:  A Tutorial Review.  Perspective on the Coordination of Movement.  S.A. Wallace (ed.), 3-45, 1989. 

Week 15 - Summers, J.J.  Chapter 19.  Has Ecological Psychology Delivered What It Promised?  Motor Behavior and Human Skill:  A Multidisciplinary Approach.  Piek, J.P.  385-402, 1998.