ABSTRACT
This chapter highlights the people and historical events that shaped the modern-day thoughts about how movements are controlled and learned. Several theories have been developed to explain how the nervous system controls movement, including multilevel movement control, open-loop and closed-loop control theories, and dynamic pattern theory. The chapter briefly discusses two theories of motor learning: Adams' closed-loop theory (1971) and Schmidt's schema theory. It presents a brief review of the latest technological advances in the study of motor control. Most doctoral students take classes in motor learning, motor control, neurophysiology, cognitive psychology, and exercise and sport psychology, but their research emphasis is usually in either motor learning or motor control. It is important for exercise science students to study motor control and motor learning, because they are related to physical activity in both healthy individuals such as athletes and injured or ill patients such as those in rehabilitative settings.
