Availabilities:

Location Domestic International
Coffs Harbour Session 1 Session 1
Gold Coast Session 1 Session 1
Lismore Session 1 Session 1

Unit Summary

Unit type

UG Coursework Unit

Credit points

12

AQF level

7

Level of learning

Intermediate

Former School/College

Former School of Health and Human Sciences

Pre-requisites

BIO00307 - Human Physiology AND BIO01302 - Human Anatomy

Unit aim

Provides students with the knowledge basis for the understanding of neural processes involved in the control of movement and of issues involved in cerebral organisation of goal directed movement. It also provides background to neurological and movement disorders.

Unit content

Topic 1: Introduction to motor control
Topic 2: Techniques of motor control research
Topic 3: Review of the anatomy & physiology of the nervous system
Topic 4: Overview of afferent (somatosensory) neurophysiology
Topic 5: Overview of efferent (motor) neurophysiology
Topic 6: Visual and vestibular systems & common movement disordered
Topic 7: Integrated approach - voluntary/involuntary control of movement
Topic 8: Motor control theories
Topic 9: Control of posture and locomotion
Topic 10: Control of goal oriented movements
Topic 11: Dysfunctional motor control

Learning outcomes

Unit Learning Outcomes express learning achievement in terms of what a student should know, understand and be able to do on completion of a unit. These outcomes are aligned with the graduate attributes. The unit learning outcomes and graduate attributes are also the basis of evaluating prior learning.

GA1: , GA2: , GA3: , GA4: , GA5: , GA6: , GA7:
On completion of this unit, students should be able to: GA1 GA2 GA3 GA4 GA5 GA6 GA7
1 identify neural pathways involved in control of movement
2 demonstrate knowledge of the role of brain areas in movement activity
3 evaluate the evidence for the current models and hypotheses related to movement
4 conduct and interpret basic neuromotor and reaction time tests applicable to exercise science practice
5 conduct and interpret assessments of posture and balance
6 demonstrate knowledge of common neurological and movement disorders.

On completion of this unit, students should be able to:

  1. identify neural pathways involved in control of movement
    • GA4:
  2. demonstrate knowledge of the role of brain areas in movement activity
    • GA4:
  3. evaluate the evidence for the current models and hypotheses related to movement
    • GA4:
    • GA5:
  4. conduct and interpret basic neuromotor and reaction time tests applicable to exercise science practice
    • GA1:
    • GA6:
  5. conduct and interpret assessments of posture and balance
    • GA1:
    • GA6:
  6. demonstrate knowledge of common neurological and movement disorders.
    • GA1:
    • GA4:

Prescribed texts

  • Magill, R & Anderson, D, 2014, Motor learning and control: concepts and applications, 10th Edition, McGraw Hill, Australia. ISBN: 9780078022678.
Prescribed texts may change in future teaching periods.