02-05-2016, 02:45 AM
Vasux86 Wrote:I have been chewing on this topic for a while and have some thoughts to share.
I'll begin by explaining how this relates to motor plans for complex movements. A motor plan is a complex set of muscle movements that includes the information necessary to orchestrate some movement. The big factors are properly timed amplitude and direction of movement. Imagine all the activity that takes place when you perform a "simple" task such as drawing from a holster. It begins with your brain sending a signal down the spinal cord to execute some motor behavior (e.g., "bend shoulder at some angle, bend elbow at some angle, move thumb to some position, etc."). When the muscle groups receive the motor command, your body is sending feedback to the brain about whether or not the movement is on track (e.g., "elbow is too far back"). Your brain has to integrate this feedback and make corrections or continue with the motor behavior as prescribed. This is a constant feedback loop including motor neurons, sensory neurons, and the brain/spinal cord. Needless to say, complex movements can place an incredible demand on our limited cognitive resources, especially if the movements are unfamiliar and the brain is trying to simultaneously create a motor plan, execute a motor behavior, and integrate feedback. Difficulty is proportional to rate of execution, which causes errors when a new behavior is performed quickly. Hence the phrase- slow is smooth and smooth is fast. That being said, when some behavior is practiced, especially at a slow rate with minimal variability (more on that in a minute), it increases the rate at which one develops a motor plan. A motor plan minimizes variability (i.e., error), which decreases the need to make corrections to some movement and increases the rate at which the behavior can be performed. This also minimizes the use of the limited cognitive resources available at some point in time. Those cognitive resources can then be delegated for use elsewhere. So by practicing some behavior, we are providing the nervous system an opportunity to develop motor plans that are necessary for optimal performance. For more on this, read about how top athletes use focused practice to increase performance.
Secondly, the number of repetitions required to develop a motor plan depends on many factors. Assuming that it requires some set number of repetitions is impossible. For instance, repeating a movement more consistently develops a motor plan more quickly. It allows the brain to "learn" the movement quicker because there is less variability. With less variability there is less need for your brain to figure out what exactly it is supposed to do when it executes some movement. Also, some people are just naturally built to develop motor plans more quickly. We probably all know someone who is blessed with the ability to be explained how to do something, try it a few times, and then is able to execute the movement consistently much quicker than others. The rate at which a person develops a motor plan also depends on various other biological factors- nutrition, how rested the person is, whether the person is distracted by external or internal stimuli at the time of learning, etc. There's more to be said on this, but the main point is that there is too much variability in the environment and biology to say that it requires some set number of repetitions to develop a motor plan or to consider a person to have developed "muscle memory."
In the words of Mr. Gump, that's all I've got to say about that. Cheers.
Vasux:
Certainly a good theoretical explanation. No argument with the concept at all.
So, now the hard part. Applying it.
If you wish, what can someone apply from your comments that will make them a better marksman?
LR55