Classification of Motor Tasks
Undergraduate Motor Learning Emily H. Wughalter, Ed.D.
What is a taxonomy?
• A taxonomy is a system for classifying tasks.
Poulton’s (1957) conceptualization of motor skills was based upon the predictability of the environment. He categorized open and closed skills into two discrete categories.
• According to Poulton’s classification system, an open skill is one where little predictability of the environment exists.
• According to Poulton, a closed skill is one that is predictable.
Knapp (1968)
• Knapp viewed the open and closed skills on a continuum. On Knapp’s continuum a skill might move from open to closed or visa versa depending on the level of expertise of a performer, also depending on environmental conditions.
Information Processing
Knapp’s Continuum
Closed
Open
Habitual
Perceptual
Gentile and her colleagues (1972, 1975, 1987) defined open skills as those where the relevant factors in the environment are moving, and closed skills as those where the relevant factors in the environment are stationary. An open skills is externally paced. A closed skill is self paced.
Basketball Dribbling
Rallying in racquetball
Running hurdles
High jumping
Open Skills
• Spatial and temporal factors • Predictability is limited • Moving factors
Closed Skills
• Spatial factors only • Environment is highly predictable • Relevant factors are stationary
• Movement of the body refers to whether the body is stable or moving, and whether the individual is manipulating an external object.
Movement of the Body
No LTM LTM
Body Stability
Body Transport
Stability No LTM LTM
Transport No LTM LTM
Closed
Open
Intertrial variability is related to the changes in the movement pattern caused by changes in the environment from trial to trial.
Environmental Predictability
Absent Closed Open
Present
Stability No LTM Absent Stationary Present Absent Moving Present LTM
Transport No LTM LTM
Easiest
Hardest
Information Feedback
• Knowledge of performance feedback is appropriate for closed skills because of single pattern of movement emerges late in practice
Information Feedback
• Knowledge of results feedback is appropriate for open skills because a diversity of motor patterns emerge for open skills.
• Discrete skills are defined as those with an identifiable beginning and ending, e.g., kicking, throwing, striking….
• Continuous skills are defined as those with no identifiable beginning and ending, e.g., running, skipping, cycling, swimming….
• Serial skills are defined as a series of discrete skills connected together, e.g., receiving a volleyball with a bump and then going up for a spike, or fielding a baseball and throwing to first base….