2023, Volume 19
Selected aspects of Nikolai Bernstein's theory assessed with modern motion analysis tools
Zbigniew Borysiuk1
1Faculty of Physical Education and Physiotherapy, Opole University of Technology, Opole, Poland
Author for correspondence: Zbigniew Borysiuk; Faculty of Physical Education and Physiotherapy, Opole University of Technology, Opole, Poland; email: z.borysiuk@po.edu.pl
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Abstract
Nikolai Bernstein was a forerunner of the systemic concept of human movement control, who had an overwhelming influence on authors of modern ideas of motor control and motor learning. The purpose of this scientific essay is general knowledge about the importance of neuro-physiological conditioning using new technologies of movement pattern analysis against the background of Bernstein's theory. Three issues were subjected to heuristic evaluation: reduction of degrees of freedom, timing, and anticipation. The study group comprised novice and advanced athletes of various sports. A novice-expert paradigm was used to determine the variability and quality of acquired movement patterns in the athletes. The following testing procedures were reviewed: surface EMG, ground reaction force plates, eye tracking, and motion capture systems. The findings confirm the key role of timing, anticipation, and reduction of degrees of freedom in the motor learning process. Practical implications were formulated, and significant importance was assigned to contextual interference, overlearning training, and trial-and-error method as well as perceptual training in reducing the processing time and improving motor learning efficiency.
Key words: anticipation, degrees of freedom, electromyography, motor learning, movement patterns timing