Kinesiology 3347A/B Lecture Notes - Lecture 6: Vestibular System, Future Movement, Plantar Reflex

• School: Western University
• Department: Kinesiology
• Course: Kinesiology 3347A/B
• Professor: Vincent Liardi

Document Summary

Spontaneous: movements not caused by known external stimuli. Reflexive: stereotypical, involuntary responses elicited by specific external stimuli. Current theory: building blocks, similar to some voluntary movement: supine kicks during infancy are coordinated; resemble position and timing of adult step. Yet, co-contraction occurs for roughly the first year: supine kicking firing both flexors and extensors at the same time. Examples: spontaneous arm movements (resemble reaching, spontaneous supine kicking. Reflexive movements occur quickly after onset of stimuli. They involve single muscle or specific group of muscles (not whole body) Infantile reflexes: only seen during early development: three types: Reflexive movements result in sensory consequences (adaptation) Reflexes provide building blocks for future movement. Reflexes are specific to external stimuli, localized, and the same stimulus will elicit a corresponding reflex over and over again spontaneous movements. On the other hand, spontaneous movements do not result external stimuli and are more generalized in nature. Primitive: involuntary responses often mediated by lower brain centers.