Physical educators, physical therapists, parents, and many others want to encourage proficient motor skills in those with whom they interact. One important consideration in working to improve motor skill performance is this: What is holding a person back, or limiting the rate at which he or she acquires a skill? In this exercise you will determine the key rate limiter for a particular skill, given the constraints described.
1. An 11-month-old infant can use furniture to pull himself upright, can cruise the length of the couch if he keeps one hand in contact, and can push a toy shopping cart down the hall. However, when placed standing in the center of the room, he does not walk but rather gets down on all fours and crawls. What is his primary rate limiter for walking?
2. A stroke patient has control over her limbs and has little difficulty walking. She can lift a pencil and write lists and letters. She can comb her hair and brush her teeth. She experiences problems, however, when she tries to lift cans and jars overhead onto shelves. What is her primary rate limiter for reaching?
3. A 5-year-old can easily walk, run, jump, and hop. She plays games with other children on the playground and is very attentive in physical education class. She has problems, however, with galloping and skipping; she cannot seem to master the asymmetrical rhythms of these skills. What is her primary rate limiter for galloping and skipping?