Is There a General Motor Program for Right Versus Left Hand Throwing in Children?

Jerry R Thomas

doi:10.4172/2155-6210.s1-001

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to determine if a general motor program controlled some or all aspects of overhand throwing. Using a 12 camera Vicon motion analysis system to record data from body markers, a group of 30 Australian Aboriginal children 6-10 years of age threw with maximal effort into a large target area. Data were reduced and analyzed for numerous variables and correlations were calculated between dominant and non-dominant side variables that were deemed reliable. Results indicated that five variables showed significant dominant to non-dominant correlations. However, only two of the five were entered into both multiple regressions to predict horizontal ball velocity for the dominant vs. non-dominant sides. The variables entered suggested that more gross aspects of the movement (stride distance and pelvis flexion) were both correlated from dominant to non-dominant sides and predicted horizontal ball velocity. Thus, the general motor program does not appear to control the more complex and coordinated parts of the throwing motion.

Highlights

IntroductionThe Central Nervous System (CNS) has been postulated to control task performance of a class of movements using pre-programmed strategies
The Central Nervous System (CNS) has been postulated to control task performance of a class of movements using pre-programmed strategies. These strategies comprise the general motor program (GMP), which can be adapted depending on choice of parameters [1]
Consistent with this, the current study reveals a moderate correlation for horizontal adduction at ball release between dominant and non-dominant arms suggesting an association with a GMP

Summary

Introduction

The Central Nervous System (CNS) has been postulated to control task performance of a class of movements using pre-programmed strategies These strategies comprise the general motor program (GMP), which can be adapted depending on choice of parameters [1]. In a study of mirror writing, Latash [2] concludes that bilateral transfer, an indicator of the existence of a GMP, is accomplished by using external space variables, or task-specific motor learning. He reported intrinsic variables associated with the tasks may provide input into an internal model used to coordinate movement [2]

Objectives

Methods

Results

Discussion

Conclusion