Motor Control textbook

[jcannon41]

Hi all,

I am revisiting an undergraduate motor control/learning subject I am teaching and am struggling to find a solid textbook that I prescribe... The textbook should ideally be a neural basis of motor control/learning text... Something like Kandel's Principle of Neural Science but with a more direct focus on human motor control would be great...

Any suggestions would be appreciated.

Regards,
Jack

[gchalmers50]

I teach an undergraduate motor control and motor learning course to Kinesiology majors who are preparing for health graduate schools or work in the exercise and health fields. I started teaching using sections of the Magill text for the motor learning and sections of the Enoka text for motor control. I teach in a quarter system, so with only 10 weeks, I used only a small proportion of each book. Over the years I have looked at some books that said they covered motor learning and motor control (e.g., Rose) but found the motor control too light. I have ended up developing my own extensive lecture notes by drawing from many text and article sources, and so now do not require that the students use a book. There are great neurophysiology books from which motor control can be drawn (e.g., Kandel; Bear Connors Paradiso ) and great neuromuscular books as well (e.g., Lieber; Shumway-Cook & Woollacott; Latash; McComas; Gardiner). There are many great motor learning books (e.g., Magill; Schmidt; others). But I have yet to find a book that is strong in both areas of motor control and motor learning. A lot, of course, depends on your emphasis in the course (motor control versus motor learning) and the goals for the class and the interests of the students. My students really enjoy the applied performance and training aspects of both motor control and learning that would never be found in a typical neurophysiology text such as Kandel. Hope this helps a bit.

[jcannon41]

Hi Gordon,

Thanks for the reply, and apologies for my delay in responding...

I am pleased to hear that I am not the only having trouble finding a good motor control text for exercise and health science undergrads... I googled you and found your teaching website... Fantastic!!! Your student resources are excellent and I am sure students really would enjoy your course...

I see you teach KIN410 and KIN507... Do your students complete any other motor control or learning (motor behaviour) subjects? And what does a typical teaching week involve for your students doing 410 or 507(e.g. a 2hr and 2 hr lab, etc)?

I am really unhappy with what/how I am currently teaching and would like to make some big changes... So I would appreciate getting feedback on what others instructors are doing.

Regards,
Jack

Regards,
Jack