Taught: Semester 2 (Jan to Jun) View Timetable
Year running 2026/27
A basic understanding of human anatomy and biology incorporating musculoskeletal structure, knowledge of the nervous system and how muscles work is required. Equivalent to a BTEC in biology, PE or sports science.
BMSC1113T
This module is not approved as a discovery module
This module introduces the key discipline of Motor Control. Motor Control looks at how the central nervous system produces purposeful, coordinated movements in its interaction with the rest of the body and with the environment. Within this module you will learn about how movements are controlled, learnt, developed and refined. You will develop your understanding of approaches to optimise the acquisition of motor skills in the context of sport and exercise. This module will give you insight into how to develop effective coaching/training programmes for the development and optimisation of motor skills.
This module will explain sensory and motor control of movement in the context of exercise and training and how these might be tested and measured. Based on this understanding you will be able to describe how skills are developed through exercise and training and develop your own strategies for improving skills. The learning objectives align with this with the content taking you from how movement is coordinated and underpinning physiology through an explanation of current theories regarding how you learn movement skills to the integration of this: Development of a plan to ensure successful learning of a key motor skill.
On successful completion of the module students will be able to:
1. Describe and explain the roles of the brain and sensory systems in the control of human movement.
2. Compare and describe motor control theories, including information processing and dynamical systems, as well as fundamental laws of movement.
On successful completion of the module students will be able to:
SO1. Appraise literature to identify key supporting ideas for work aligning with research skills and information searching.
Introduction to Motor Control - Overview of motor control; why it matters in sport and exercise; key terminology.
Basic organisation of the CNS and PNS; motor cortex, cerebellum, basal ganglia; - descending pathways
Proprioception, vision, vestibular system; sensory integration; role of feedback.
Measurement of Human Movement -Error measures and learning curves; Kinematic and temporal variables; EMG introduction.
Laws of Movement and speed–accuracy trade-offs
Stages of information processing; attention and capacity; open-loop vs closed-loop control.
Dynamical Systems Approaches to understanding movement -
The Bernsteinian framework and degrees of freedom
Feedback in Skill acquisition – types, timing and frequency
Skill Acquisition and
Stages of learning.
Motor Control Across the Lifespan -maturation and ageing effects
| Delivery type | Number | Length hours | Student hours |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lecture | 7 | 1 | 7 |
| Seminar | 5 | 2 | 10 |
| Independent online learning hours | 1 | ||
| Private study hours | 82 | ||
| Total Contact hours | 17 | ||
| Total hours (100hr per 10 credits) | 100 | ||
In-seminar review and discussion of papers and videos of different approaches give a chance for questions and answers, peer discussion and to clarify approaches to then take in the assessment.
| Assessment type | Notes | % of formal assessment |
|---|---|---|
| Case Study | Production of coaching guide to a motor skill | 100 |
| Total percentage (Assessment Coursework) | 100 | |
Normally resits will be assessed by the same methodology as the first attempt, unless otherwise stated
Check the module area in Minerva for your reading list
Last updated: 13/05/2026
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