Multilevel Approach to the Study of Motor Control and Learning, A, 2nd edition

This up-to-date textbook provides a comprehensive introduction to the principles of motor control and motor learning. The authors integrate knowledge from the fields of cognitive psychology and neuroscience to provide students with a more complete understanding of the multilevel processes that contribute to the acquisition and control of movement skills. Each section of the book introduces the most important theoretical models in each particular area, followed by theoretical principles and then illustrated with practical examples drawn from movement, skill, and clinical settings. The breadth of the practical applications will appeal to students preparing to enter a variety of professions that require a strong knowledge of motor control and learning principles.

The strong contemporary and multilevel review of the literature in both motor control and learning will provide the student with the most comprehensive and user-friendly introduction to two highly integrated areas of study in movement science today.

• A multilevel approach integrates knowledge from the fields of cognitive psychology and neuroscience to provide the student with a more complete understanding of the multilevel processes (cognitive, neuromotor, and musculoskeletal) that contribute to the acquisition and control of movement skills.

• Controversy emerging from new perspectives that challenge existing viewpoints is presented along with the essence of each alternative viewpoint, to encourage students to think critically.

• A broader spectrum of career preparation for students in areas such as physical therapy, athletic training, coaching, and physical education.

• Dialog boxes in each chapter emphasise the major points and serve as quick chapter reviews for students.

• Highlight boxes throughout the text describe pivotal research findings and illustrate how research can be applied to practice.

• Examples from movement, skill, and clinical settings illustrate and apply the major concepts throughout the text.

• A new chapter, “Transfer of Motor Learning,” and reorganized content reflect changes in the field of motor control learning.

• Expanded coverage of contemporary motor control theories, measurement techniques and application of theory.

• New highlight boxes focusing on real-life aspects of motor control and learning, such as sports examples, the use of PET scans in motor control and learning studies, motor disorders, etc.

• Figures to help students grasp difficult concepts such as intralimb coordination, attractor states, and schema theory.

• Practical activities designed to reinforce theoretical concepts in selected chapters.

• Enhanced art, revised and new figures, and new chapter-opening photos.