Exercises improving movement coordination
- Movement coordination is a special set of conditions, which plays a major role in the development of movement regulation, according to the given conditions.
- Its main categories (movement regulating, movement adaptive, transforming, and movement learning skills) and its manifestations (balancing, spatial orientation, rhythm, kinesthetis, reaction skills) should be differentiated only for the sake of comprehension.
- Relaxation is of vital importance in every action involving movement, because it takes the tone of the muscles down to an adequate level and thus ends the stiff, lumpish movement.
- Relaxation skills (laxity) are also an important condition of flexibility.
- Good relaxation skills result in:
- the improvement of movement coordination;
- the saving of energy;
- a more perfect performance of the movement.
The increased muscle tone can be decreased by relaxing exercises, or by relaxation techniques. Results can be achieved only by conscious practice.
Exercises: (improving movement coordination)
a) Natural exercises:
Most natural movements are suitable for the improvement of movement coordination, if they are performed in a way other than usual (e.g. walking on a bench or a beam, with various tasks; throwing with the clumsier hand).
b) Definite form exercises:
Here the improvement of movement coordination is also best achieved by exercises that are out of the ordinary and thus trigger the attention (e.g. a mirror image-like performance, changing the pace; the variation of hand tools, changing the connection of the elements in already known exercises)
Methodological aspects:
- The exercises should be playful and should provide an experience;
- Initially concessions can be made regarding the performance;
- There is a bigger chance to master the new movements if as many senses are included in the perception as possible;
- Physical education games and the improvement of strength and speed have a significant effect on the improvement of coordination;
- The exercises should be of the kind that the more effective and improving movement coordination can be measured;
- The learning of the new exercises should always be based on the already available, learnt movements;
- The learning of process of the movements and the improvement of strength should progress parallel in most sports and movement forms;
- The circumstances and the conditions of the instruction should be arranged possibly in such a way that after trying the exercise a few times, the child can already make a successful – perhaps not yet completely satisfactory – attempt.