Motor Control

How the term is used

Motor control involves sensory information, planning, timing, muscle activation, feedback, learning, and adaptation.

Why it matters

It gives readers a clearer way to understand skillful movement than focusing only on flexibility or strength.

Related terms

• Proprioception

  The body’s ability to sense its position, movement, and orientation in space without relying only on vision.

• Balance

  The ability to maintain or recover control of the body’s position over its base of support.

• Muscle Tension

  A general term for increased muscular contraction, stiffness, or the sensation of tightness.

• Mobility

  The ability to move a joint or body region through an available range with control.

• Muscle Tone

  The ongoing low-level activity or tension present in muscles even when they are not producing a large movement.

• Kinesthesia

  Awareness of body movement, especially the sensation of movement through space.

• Nociception

  The nervous system process of detecting potentially harmful mechanical, thermal, or chemical stimuli.

• Joint

  A place where two or more bones meet.