Applying Motor Learning Principles and Feedback in Rehab and Fitness for Balance-Impaired Older Adults

To optimize the link between balance training and reduced fall incidence, it is necessary to understand how motor learning principles can be applied during the design and implementation of balance training programs.

How does mindset, age stereotypes and motivation affect balance performance and retention?  How can we help improve self-efficacy and integrate it into our sessions?  A review of the current literature and applications will be discussed so you can incorporate task specific training and provide the correct dose of difficulty/complexity of a balance exercise with progressions.  Learn new ways to utilize external focus of attention, the use of analogies and augmented feedback when training balance.


Objectives

1 - Define motor learning and basic motor learning principles.

2 - Describe an example of how to incorporate each of the 4 primary sources of self-efficacy into balance performance.

3 - Compare and contrast internal vs external focus of attention when training a balance exercise.

4 - Describe the 3 different feedback modalities and how to incorporate them into balance exercises to improve performance.

5 - Describe how you can monitor and adjust the difficulty/intensity of a balance exercise.

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About Erica Demarch
Erica DeMarch, MSPT is the Founder and CEO of Step and Connect, a company that optimizes how people balance and move through education, products, and services, with a mission to help make balance "click". Over 18 years of expertise in the areas of neurorehabilitation and vestibular rehabilitation led her to develop the patented product Balance Matters. It incorporates multi-sensory feedback, targeting the spatial and temporal parameters of movement to improve balance and maximize motor learning. Erica is interested in incorporating sensorimotor exercises and in how feedback, cues and verbal instructions can change how people move and balance. Her patients' tenacity, motivation, and drive inspire her to keep exploring new ways to improve their quality of life. Erica is also the author of the children's book, "How do you Balance Like That?" and developed an intergenerational balance program based on the book.
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