KIN 211: Human Motor Behaviour

Lecture 1: Course
Introduction
Please take a moment to acknowledge the
land and place where UBC is situated and
where we are fortunate to live and work.
Vancouver is on the traditional, ancestral
and unceded territories of the Coast Salish
people including the Musqueam,
Squamish & Tsleil-Waututh first nations.

UBC’s lands have always been a

place of learning for the Musqueam
people, who for millennia have
passed on in their culture, history,
and traditions from one generation
to the next on this site.
2
Tom Coppola
Motor Skills Lab:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UjcAdovYnzI
MSc/Mkin student: 2010-2013 (filmed in 2020).
 Lecture 1: READINGS
There are no readings for this week*.

*If you are keen, the preface and ch1 will give you some
background into motor behaviour and how it might apply to
you and future careers in kinesiology. There is also some history
and a little about what motor behaviour research looks like.
 Outline: Lecture 1
• Course Introduction
• Introduction to motor behaviour
• Interacting constraints that govern
behaviour
• Three sub-disciplines of motor behaviour
• Tools & measures
 Objectives: Lecture 1
• Know expectations for the course and where to get
course resources.
• Be able to Define motor behaviour
• Know and apply constraints-based thinking to behaviour
outcomes
• Identify the three sub-disciplines of motor behaviour
• Define and describe the goals of motor control and motor
learning
• List 2 reasons why we study motor behaviour and where
it can be applied
• Contrast measures of brain and behaviour and determine
when one measure would be better than another
 Who am I?
http://msl.kin.educ.ubc.ca

WMG, rm 300
 Your TAs
Porter Trevisan

Jost Hausendorf
Motor Skills Lab, rm 300, WMG
 What about you?
iclicker: in future classes I will use iclicker… Please see course
syllabus for instructions to download the iclicker app.

Where are you from (place you identify as

home)?
• Greater Vancouver?
• Other place in BC (not lower mainland)
• Different province?
• Different country?
One thing quirky/memorable about you
you’d like to share?
What do I need to know about KIN 211?

COURSE STRUCTURE,
ASSIGNMENTS AND NAVIGATION
 Assigned Readings
Schmidt, R.A. & Lee, T.D. (2019). Motor Learning and
Performance (6th Ed.). Champaign, Il: Human Kinetics.
+ web study guide Narratives*.
*“motor control in everyday actions narratives” (for
each chapter)

https://canada.humankinetics.com/products/motor-learning-
and-performance-6th-edition-epub-with-web-study-
guide?_pos=3&_psq=motor%20learning%20and%20performa
6th edition nce&_ss=e&_v=1.0&variant=28404676231255
 Course Assessment Summary
1. 10 ‘End of Module’ canvas quizzes*10%
(10 quizzes, .5-1.5% each + 1 bonus if all completed)
2. 9 Motor Lab canvas quizzes 25%
(4 = fully graded; 5% each; 5 = for practice, 1% each)
3. Midterm 1 (45 min) 15/20% Feb 6th
Everything before midterm 1
Individual and group (2 stage)
4. Midterm 2 (45 min) 15/20% Mar 13th
Everything between midterm 1 and 2
Individual and group (2 stage)
5. Final exam (90 min) 30% In-person
Everything after midterm 2 and the 9 motor labs.
Individual only
For all Quizzes, you have 1 week to complete (unless otherwise stated)
 Midterms: 2-Stage Exams

Stage 1: Individual (45 min) – 85%

Stage 2: Groups 4 people (20 min) – 15%

Stage 2 fosters collaborative thinking and helps make

the exam a learning /feedback-driven (fun) process.
Grades can only go up, based on group mark.

https://blogs.ubc.ca/wpvc/two-stage-exams/
 What are motor labs?
• “Motor labs” = online labs; ~10 min activity to illustrate
a motor behaviour concept/topic. https://motorlab.ca/
• Please download the software (see course admin.
module for instruction if needed). $6/license
• FIVE tutorial class times have been set aside to do the
labs “in class” and to get help/work with others ask
questions about course content.
• Although there are ~20 labs which you can do, we will
only do 9 (4 = with fully graded quiz + submitted data,
5 = with practice quiz & participation mark).
Downloading MotorLabs software:
https://motorlab.ca/
 How do we do the motor labs?
For each lab there are 3 files posted on canvas in the
appropriate module to accompany each lab:
1. Instructions about the lab, read this BEFORE doing the
lab (powerpoint file/.ppt).
2. DataAnalysis sheet for graphing your data after the
activity (Download this excel doc and copy & paste
data from text file into this excel/.xls sheet). You will
need to submit this data sheet
3. LabActivity is word (.doc) file, which gives background
reading and gets you thinking about your data BEFORE
doing the quiz and AFTER collecting your own data.
 MotorLab assessment quizzes
The quiz is based on your own data, the computer lab; including
the Instructions and LabActivity readings in canvas, and your
understanding of the general topic/principle/data.
Fully-graded lab assignment (n=4; 5% each)
• Five marked questions for each quiz (do on your own).
(multiple choice, number answers, some short word answers
and you will be asked to enter data & briefly comment)
• You will also need to upload your data graph
• Quizzes open immediately AFTER the lab. (1 week)
• Once started they are open for 45 minutes.
Practice lab assignments (n=5; 1% each)
• The practice quiz follows the same format as the fully graded
quizzes, except you do not upload data graphs, you can work
together on the quizzes, they open during class time.
 Academic Integrity KIN 211 Assignments
https://academicintegrity.ubc.ca/
Academic misconduct = any conduct by which a student gains or attempts to gain an
unfair academic advantage or benefit compromising the integrity of the academic
process, or helping another person commit an act of academic misconduct
• Can I work together with others on the MotorLabs? YES, but you need to
collect your OWN data
• Can I work with others when I do the online motorlab quizzes that are fully
graded? NO. This is individual graded work.
• Is the motorlab quiz open book? YES
• Can I write the midterm with another person, using my notes, my phone,
the internet? NO, this is a closed book exam and it is individually graded
work.
• Can I write the group portion talking to others? YES, you can all work
together (but as an individual group, not across groups).
• Can I use ChatGPT or other AI programs to study? YES, absolutely! See
what you can learn about motor behaviour topics that interest you.
• Can I use ChatGPT or other AI programs to write my exam or graded
quizzes? Just in case this was not obvious…. NO, graded work in this course
is all independent and reflects what YOU know and YOU understand.
 CANVAS navigation
• On the home page you can navigate to specific
topics/modules, or just SELECT the module for each topic.
• We use the book order to navigate through topics.
• Each module has a CONTENT page (all the notes are here), a
DISCUSSION page for Q&A (with each other, TAs & me) and
links to Quizzes, MotorLab info and Supplementary.
• Each CONTENT page has:
1. List of “What to expect”
2. Short application “Thinking points”
3. Place for “Lecture notes & recorded lectures”
4. Chapter and Narrative “Readings”
5. “Motor lab” resources and links
6. “Quizzes”
 I will be using iclicker cloud
• Please see UBC’s iClicker Cloud student guide
(https://lthub.ubc.ca/guides/iclicker-cloud-
student-guide/).
• Please set up your iClicker account ahead of
the next class, to troubleshoot any potential
technical issues (see syllabus).

https://join.iclicker.com/ODEM
7 Course Objectives: see course outline (p2)

General: What is skilled motor

performance, how and why do we move
as we do, & how can we improve/best
learn motor skills
 REFLECTION TIME
“How do we control movements/ perform motor
skills”? … what key terms or phrases come to
mind?
Think about a simple skill such as
catching/throwing a ball, what does it involve?
(video on canvas for inspiration)
https://canvas.ubc.ca/courses/148722/pages/supplementary?module
_item_id=7158697
 “Simple” things are often more complicated
than they seem…
Top-down control …efferent
Brain (motor, parietal cortex, cerebellum, all areas!)
Motor commands or programs/prediction
Transform desired goals to actions (memory/attention)
voluntary/conscious
Bottom-up control…afferent automatic
Sensory information/feedback
Reflexes-proprioception/visual/audition
Transform feedback into motor corrections

https://www.publicdomainpictures.net/en/view- Integration of lots of systems

image.php?image=205558&picture=boy-throwing-soccer-ball
Different levels of control
(cellular, physiological, brain/NS)
Coordination effectors/joints/muscles

Practice
Development
Lecture 1: Introduction to Motor
Behaviour

https://www.aetc.af.mil/News/Photos/igphoto/2002154476/
Three Sub-disciplines in the Field of
Motor Behaviour

Motor Behaviour

1. Motor Control 2. Motor Learning / Skill

Acquisition

3. Motor Development
Motor Control: determine what constrains the
neuromuscular system to carry out movements

How does the CNS (Central Nervous System; brain &

spinal cord) plan and execute movements?

What is the Interaction between the CNS and incoming

sensory and environmental factors that constrain and
promote movement?
Motor Learning: observed behaviour that is a
function of practice and experience

• Concerned with understanding how we learn to

perform skilled movements (skill acquisition)
• How does a relatively permanent change in motor
behaviour arise from practice or experience?
• Learning cannot be directly observed, it can only
be inferred (from observing at different times).
Contrasted to motor development: which is about
change in behavior due to maturation/aging
Motor Behaviour is a consequence of 3
constraints; which affect how we move/learn
1. PERSON/
• Behaviour = can be INDIVIDUAL
measured (observable)
• Behaviour = consequence
of constraints:
Behaviour

2. TASK 3. ENVIRONMENT

In research we look for GENERAL principles of behaviour,

whilst appreciating constraints on seeing this behaviour
 THE PERSON:
think shape, height,
https://pxhere.com/en/photo/749545 reach, weight,
motivation, personality,

THE ENVIRONMENT:
THE TASK:
think about water
think type of race,
temperature, size of the
stroke, competition,
pool, take off board,
rules, instructions
coaches/umpires

How “well” an
OUTPUT/BEHAVIOUR: individual swims
 PERSON CONSTRAINTS:
…shape, height, reach,
https://pxhere.com/en/photo/749545 weight, motivation,
personality…

ENVIRONMENT
TASK CONSTRAINTS: CONSTRAINTS:
…type of race, …water temperature,
stroke, competition, size of the pool, take off
rules, instructions… board, people watching..

How “well” an
OUTPUT/BEHAVIOUR: individual swims
What are the constraints on behaviour in this
situation and what type of constraint is it?

https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0/deed.en
https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Soccer_Youth_Goal_Keeper.jpg
 Why study motor behaviour?
1. Help to instruct & organize practice for efficient &
effective (re)learning & promote skilled
performance (sport, military, clinical/rehab)
2. Facilitate understanding of why people act, and
predict how they will act to prevent errors
(human factors/work place safety)
Tools and techniques for research

HOW DO WE STUDY MOTOR

BEHAVIOUR?
 Movement and eye tracking
Video (such as ‘go pro’ & Video software) 3D Motion Tracking

Eye Tracking
https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0/
https://www.flickr.com/photos/campofchampio https://pixabay.com/photos/camera-sports-
ns/19275446812 gopro-red-portfolio-5374465/

~4 min video…eye tracking in sports,

Canvas (supplementary);
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1DyHnTk2_to
https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Tobii_Glasses_2
_Eye_Tracker_Wearable_System_Tobii_I.jpg
https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/deed.en
 Muscle and brain activity
EMG

https://creativecommons.org/license
s/by-sa/4.0/deed.en

https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/2.0/
https://www.flickr.com/photos/jeanbaptisteparis/2352759712
Surface electrode recordings from
jeanbaptisteparis . Biosignals Workshop - Art & Science emotions
muscle belly. Index of activity.

We will talk about Electromyography

(EMG) as an important measure of
motor planning in next few lectures
 Muscle and brain activity
EEG

fMRI

Katie Wadden, former PhD from Brain Behaviour Lab (Lara Boyd)
https://brain.rehab.med.ubc.ca/

Mobile EEG
https://www.uvic.ca/news/topics/2017+can-
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:SNSlab.png
brainwaves-predict-baseball-performance+ring https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/deed.en
 Electroencephalography (EEG): surface
electrical recording of the brain

L mid R

Advantage: Limitation:
Good Temporal resolution. Only captures activity at cortical
(see immediate changes) surface so Spatially limited. Can’t
see specific brain regions
 functional Magnetic Resonance
Imaging (fMRI): measures blood flow
Measure of Brain Function
• MRI images formed by magnetic
fields & radio frequency pulses
• Measure BOLD signal (Blood
Oxygen Level Dependent) during
“activity”

Advantage: Limitation:
High spatial resolution Not good temporal
(deep resolution in the brain) resolution & Expensive
TMS, Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation: Not a
measure but a tool to probe brain processes/function

TMS: Generates a pulsed

magnetic field
• Neurons in specific part of the
brain depolarize/hyperpolarize
• EXCITE: Contraction in muscles
(see with EMG)
https://www.flickr.com/photos/ukinisrael/5287646698
https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0/
• INHIBIT: Temporary “Virtual
lesions” (interrupt processes)
(VIDEO ON CANVAS)
 Summary
• You would have appreciated some of the complexity
involved in measuring motor behaviour.
• What we see involves processes for controlling movement,
acquiring movement skills, as well as the interaction of these
with growth/aging. In this course we will not really consider
developmental factors.
• Motor behavior is always a product of 3 interacting
constraints: individual/person, environment, and task.
• To measure behaviour and make inferences about how
movement is controlled we can use tools such as video
devices, motion analysis trackers, eye trackers or brain
imaging devices.
• We can also interfere/probe brain processes using TMS, to
see if and how a brain area is involved in the movement.
 Next Class, Lecture 2
Classification of Motor Skills & Measuring Motor
Performance; Textbook Readings: Ch. 1
See syllabus
• What is the difference between skills, actions and
movements? Is there a difference?
• How do we classify motor skills (and why)?
• How can we measure motor performance?

THANK-YOU!