Western Washington University

Department of Physical Education, Health and Recreation

KIN 410: Motor Control and Learning, Winter 2015
Instructor: Gordon Chalmers, Ph.D.
Office: ET 275 Phone: 650-3113
Email: gordon.chalmers@wwu.edu
Course Web Page: http://myweb.facstaff.wwu.edu/chalmers
Office hours: Mon 2-2:30, Wed 2-2:30, Thurs 12:00-1:00, 2:00-5:00; Fri 2:00-5:00.

To book an office hour meeting: https://gordonchalmers.youcanbook.me/

Note: If my office hours are booked but you need to discuss class topics with me before an
appointment is available, email me and request a meeting for a class question and we will set a time to
meet outside of regular office hours.
Course Time: MWF 12:00-12:50 Location: CV 109 Credits: 3
Course Prerequisites: KIN 301, Biology 348.
COURSE DESCRIPTION: This course will examine human motor learning and human motor control.
Students will learn how people learn motor skills, from a motor learning and behavior viewpoint. Practical
applications of these principles, to enable the students to optimize their teaching of motor skills in classroom,
coaching and rehabilitation settings, will be emphasized. Students will also examine motor control from a
physiological and anatomical viewpoint. Knowledge of the physiology of movement control will enhance a
student's understanding of human physical performance and impairments in movement which are commonly
encountered in coaching, instructional and rehabilitation settings.
COURSE READINGS:
1) Lecture notes to accompany each lecture are available to be printed from the course website (address at top
of page). The notes package also contains your copy of all assignments.
2) For the material covered in the motor learning portion of the course, students will not be required to
purchase a text. There will be two copies of the book that the instructor developed the lectures from on
reserve in the library. This text will be available on reserve as optional readings to supplement lectures and
course notes. The book is: R. A. Magill, Motor Learning: Concepts and Applications. 8th edition 2007 (7th
edition, 2004 is also on reserve).
3) For the material covered in the motor control portion of the course, students will not be required to
purchase a text. On reserve in Wilson Library are copies of the book: Neuromechanics of Human Movement.
Roger Enoka, 3rd edition, Human Kinetics, 2002, ISBN 0-7360-0251-0, plus the 2nd edition of the book
(Neuromechanical Basis of Kinesiology. Roger Enoka, 2nd ed). The listed pages of these texts will serve as
optional readings to supplement lectures and course notes. The current 4th edition version of the text has
been changed from previous versions, and so is not a good match for this course.
Motor Learning units and optional supplementary readings.
Unit
Topic
Magill 8th edition
1
Skill classification
pp 10-15
2
Whole and part learning
pp 405-417
3
Stages of learning
pp. 263-283
4
Attention and learning
pp. 117-118, 194-200, 206-208
5
Augmented feedback
pp 331-345, 357-359
Motor Control units and optional supplementary readings.
Unit Topic
Enoka, 3rd edition.
Section 1: The Stretch Shortening Cycle (a.k.a. plyometric movements)
1
Anatomy & Physiology
Chpt. 5, pp 229-232, Chpt. 6, p
247, Chpt. 1, pp 46-47 (EMG)
2
Sensory receptors
Chpt. 5, pp. 232-239
3
The stretch reflex
Chpt. 6, pp. 297-300
KIN 410 Course Outline

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Section 2: Muscles fibers types and their use

4
Motor units
5
Motor unit recruitment
Section 3: Motor control aspects of resistance training
6
The role of motor control and learning in force production and
resistance training
Unit 6a: Neuromuscular adaptations with resistance training
Unit 6b: Resistance training
Unit 6c: Expert views on resistance training
Section 4: Spinal and brain control
7
Additional effects of afferent signals
8
Brain control of movement

Chpt. 6, pp. 278-289

Chpt. 6, pp. 289-291
Chpt. 9, pp. 414-417

Chpt. 6, p. 300

EVALUATION:
Copy of Malpractice Insurance Receipt
Motor Learning Community Instruction Assignment: Finalized contract
Motor Control Assignment: Finalized topic contract #
Motor Learning Community Instruction Assignment
Motor Control Assignment: Examination of a motor control issue
relevant to my future work with people
Presentation of Motor Control Assignment
Test 1 (motor learning material only)
Test 2 (motor control units 1-3)
Test 3 (motor control units 4-5)
Final Exam (motor control units 6, 7, 8 if all these units are covered,
plus any additional material covered)

% of final
grade
0
#
#
22
22
3
12
13
14
14

DUE DATES
Mon 1/12
Wed 1/14
Wed 2/4
Fri 2/20
Fri 2/27
Fri 3/13
Mon 1/26
Mon 2/9
Wed 3/4
Monday,
March 16
3:30 - 5:30 PM

Note that the final exam for all students will be held in the final
exam week at the time scheduled by WWU registrars office. Plan to
be there.
Obtaining your assignment & test grades: I do not use Canvas (I use the course web page listed above).
To obtain your grade on an assignment, look at the assignment I return to you, the grade is recorded there.
For class tests, I show your test score (anonymously) in class shortly after the test. If you do not attend that
class, then email me from a WWU email account, and I will send you your test score
#

The contracts are not worth any points towards your grade, but they are a required component of the
motor learning and the motor control assignments. Failure to submit a project contract by the contract due
dates, and have that contract approved, will mean that the assignment submissions will not be accepted (i.e.,
your grade will be zero). A contract is paper submitted in class that for the motor learning assignment
lists: your name, the site you will be working at, and what you will be teaching there; for the motor control
assignment the contract lists: your name and your partners name, the topic you will be writing your report
on.
You are required to participate in, and submit, all of the tests and assignments in this class. If any are
omitted, you will receive a grade of K.
Reports are due at the start of class on the due date announced in class. Reports submitted after this
deadline will lose 10% of the maximum potential score per day, including weekends. Reports must be typed,
include page numbers, and be stapled. It is strongly suggested you read the TERM PAPER SUGGESTIONS
web page. This can be accessed from a link on Dr. Chalmers home page.
Some assignments are done as groups to facilitate cooperative learning, which maximizes student
learning. If you find that a partner in a group is not contributing to the team, then discuss this problem first
with the partner, then, if needed, with Dr. Chalmers as soon as possible so that options can be explored.
KIN 410 Course Outline

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Insurance: All students are required to have malpractice insurance. This may be purchased from the WWU
cashiers office using the form on the KIN 410 web page (https://commerce.cashnet.com/wwu_rm1), and is valid
for one year. NOTE: the receipt for the purchase is emailed to YOU, then you forward the email (or print it) to
give it to me (keep a copy for use in field experience or internship classes). A copy of the receipt for this
insurance must be given to Dr. Chalmers by the date given in the evaluation table above. If the receipt copy is
not submitted by this date, then marks will be deducted from the grade on the motor learning assignment, and
then the motor control assignment at the rate of 25% of the maximum potential score per day, including
weekends.
Exam Preparation: An excellent way to prepare for the midterm, quiz or final is to practice the problem
solving questions we do within each unit. This reviews the unit material and helps you practice how to use the
material discussed.
GRADING KEY:
Grade
Percentage
A
>92%
A90 - 92%
B+
87- 89%
B
83 - 86%

BC+
C
C-

80- 82%
77-79%
73 - 76%
70 - 72%

D+
D
DF

67 -69%
63 - 66%
60 - 62%
below 60%

Reasonable Accommodation Policy:

It is the policy of Western Washington University to provide reasonable accommodation to the known physical,
sensory, or mental limitations of qualified individuals except where such accommodation would impose undue
hardship on the institution. To request accommodation, students must contact WWU disAbility Resources for
Students at 360-650-3844 or www.wwu.edu/depts/drs/
Test Make-Up Policy:
1. If a student misses a test, they cannot make up the exam unless prior approval has been granted, except
under documented extenuating situations. If you have a medical excuse prior to the test, it must be given to
the instructor prior to the test.
2. If a student requests a change in the test date, arrangements must be made at least one week in advance.
The student should expect to take the test earlier rather than later.
3. All test arrangements must be made by direct contact, not through a telephone or email message left for the
instructor.
Academic Dishonesty Policy:
Western Washington University students are responsible for reading, understanding, and following the policy
and procedures regarding academic dishonesty as set forth in the WWU Academic Dishonesty Policy and
Procedure (see Appendix D of the University Bulletin).
Retention of student submitted work:
Dr. Chalmers occasionally saves a copy of work submitted by a student so it can be included in a collection of
course material that is viewed by other WWU faculty members for course review purposes, or by future
students to understand assignment requirements. In this case, the students name is removed from the
material. If you do not wish to have your submitted work possibly saved in this manner, please notify your
instructor by the end of the second week of classes.
Additional Comments: Please feel encouraged and welcome to come and speak with me about any
questions or concerns which you may have regarding the course. I have regularly scheduled office hours.
There is a sign up sheet outside my office so that you can sign up and know you have an appointment. If you
have not signed up, feel free to drop by and see if I am with anybody during my office hours. If you are unable
to see me during my regular office hours talk to me in class or through email, and we can set up an
appointment.

KIN 410 Course Outline

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