3. control loop level

In this phase of movement coordination, the movement programme is optimally developed. Following the motor learning according to MEINEL/SCHNABEL, the athlete is in the phase of finest coordination. Due to spinal and supraspinal centers in the brain stem and motor cortex, the movement can be executed safely with regard to the execution of movement, even if disturbances occur.

It should be noted that this phase of movement coordination can only be achieved after several years. The feedback from the teacher only plays a role in targeted technique elements. When serving in tennis, this means that the movement is optimally coordinated in spatial, temporal and dynamic progression.

If the sun, wind or incorrect ball throwing occurs, the serve can still be served with certainty. The cerebellum plays an outstanding role in the coordination of movement. Without it, we would not be able to perform finely coordinated movements in the first place. The cerebellum monitors the body’s coordinative movements and makes fine corrections time and again. It also plays an important role in balance, and with every movement you make, it re-coordinates the muscle activity so that the body is always in balance.

Setpoint and actual value comparison

A movement comparison is only possible if the human organism has a possibility to compare the ACTUAL value with a TARGET value. This works as follows: Higher centers in the brain send impulses to lower centers of the central nervous system. There the movement is stored in the form of an efference copy.

From there the impulse is passed on to the successful organ and the movement is executed. When the movement is completed, there is a feedback to the deeper centres in the CNS. The executed movement is compared with the efference copy. In the phase of coarse coordination (1st control loop level) this extrinsic feedback occurs via the trainer. With increasing safety, the kinaesthetic analyser gains in importance and this target-actual value comparison is carried out during the movement, enabling the athlete to make corrections during the execution of the movement.

How can movement coordination be trained?

Movement coordination can be trained and coached in many different ways. This motor ability is more or less important for all disciplines and sports. Using the example of running, four movement coordination exercises are presented.

The distance for each of these exercises is 25 metres. First of all, the athletes should run technically clean and keep their arms stretched high. The upper body should be as still as possible.

In the second exercise, the arms are now stretched out to the side while running technically clean. In a third exercise the participants should walk technically clean over beam obstacles. Here again the upper body should be as stable and calm as possible.

The last variation is the knee stroke while running. These exercises are only a small part of the whole, varied range of exercises. In the coordination exercises, the great variety is particularly interesting.

In addition to the one-legged jumping, final jumps with right and left, coordination runs with hoops on the ground, hop runs, jumping jacks and other jumping exercises are also popular. Rope jumping is a challenging exercise. It requires a high level of concentration during the execution and regular training to complete successful rope jumps. Runs on acoustic or optical signals are also effective exercises to train the coordination of movement.