Coordinative skills
Coordinative abilities are abilities that are primarily determined by the processes of movement control and movement regulation. They enable the athlete to control motor actions safely and economically in unpredictable situations and to learn sporting movements relatively quickly. In general, coordination skills are needed to master situations that require fast and targeted action. Dexterity is therefore also extremely important in accident prevention.
The coordinative abilities are closely interrelated with the conditional factors. We speak of coordination when we refer to the control or regulation of motor skills and of condition when we think of energy or mechanical work. (Movement) coordination refers to a complex process for regulating muscle activity during the realisation of movement.
Well-developed coordination skills enable us to optimally adapt our movements to external and internal conditions and to learn, purposefully apply and vary movement skills without great effort.
The basis for movement regulation is the constant exchange of information between the central nervous system (CNS) and the receptors in muscles, ligaments, tendons and joints. This exchange enables the body to coordinate movements.
Motor function consists of two areas, both of which are controlled by coordination. One is target motor skills and the other is support motor skills. Target motor skills include movements that are carried out with a specific intention and are therefore consciously controlled. Support motor skills include all unconscious movements to stabilise the joints and trunk as well as the sense of balance.
Through learning, new connections can be established in the nervous system or existing connections can be made more permeable. In this way, movements can be automated, but it is difficult to correct a movement once it has been automated. Therefore, relearning is easier than relearning. Correct execution of the movement from the outset is therefore important for training coordination skills.
Together with the cognitive abilities, the coordinative abilities enable, among other things
to orientate oneself in the terrain, in a room or on the playing field;
to maintain balance or to regain it quickly after briefly losing it;react sensibly and efficiently to different signals;
to grasp and realise the rhythm of a movement quickly and easily;
solve movement tasks economically and appropriate to the situation;
can safely cope with predictable and surprising situations in sport and everyday life;learn new movement sequences quickly and easily.
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