Motor Learning, Skill Acquisition, and Behavioral Adaptation in Physical Tasks

Authors

  • Dr. Anil Sharma Senior Researcher, Department of Exercise Science, Manipal University, Manipal

Keywords:

Motor Learning, Skill Acquisition, Behavioral Adaptation, Physical Tasks, Neuromuscular Control, Practice, Feedback, Neuroplasticity, Cognitive Strategies, Self-Regulation, Physical Education, Sports Science, Rehabilitation

Abstract

Motor learning, skill acquisition, and behavioral adaptation are fundamental processes in the development of physical tasks and activities. These processes are essential not only in athletic performance but also in everyday physical functions. Understanding how individuals acquire and refine motor skills over time, and how behavior adapts in response to practice and environmental feedback, is crucial for designing effective interventions in physical education, rehabilitation, and sports science. This paper explores the relationship between motor learning, skill acquisition, and behavioral adaptation, focusing on how the central nervous system, musculoskeletal system, and psychological factors interact to optimize physical performance. Using a combination of empirical research, case studies, and theoretical frameworks, the paper examines how practice, feedback, and the context of physical tasks influence skill mastery and behavioral change. The findings suggest that motor learning and skill acquisition are deeply linked to neuroplasticity, self-regulation, and feedback loops, all of which contribute to more efficient and adaptive physical behavior. The paper also discusses the role of motivational factors, cognitive strategies, and psychological readiness in influencing motor skill development and how these elements can be incorporated into training programs. The study concludes with recommendations for enhancing skill acquisition through targeted practice, progressive feedback, and behavioral adaptation techniques in various domains.

References

Lortie, D. C. (1975). Schoolteacher: A Sociological Study. University of Chicago Press.

Masten, A. S., & Coatsworth, J. D. (1998). The development of competence in favorable and unfavorable environments: Lessons from research on successful children. American Psychologist, 53(2), 205-220.

McLaughlin, M. W. (1993). What We Know About Teacher Learning and Policy Change. The University of Chicago Press.

Miller, R. B. (2003). The impact of motivation and emotion in learning environments. Journal of Educational Psychology, 94(2), 206-214.

Piaget, J. (1952). The Origins of Intelligence in Children. International Universities Press.

Piaget, J. (1969). The Psychology of the Child. Basic Books.

Postman, N. (2005). Amusing Ourselves to Death: Public Discourse in the Age of Show Business. Penguin.

Reeve, J. (2006). Teachers as Facilitators: The Role of Autonomy Support in Motivating Learning. In Motivating Students to Learn (pp. 93-114). Erlbaum.

Schunk, D. H. (2008). Learning Theories: An Educational Perspective. Pearson Education.

Shiffrin, R. M., & Schneider, W. (1977). Controlled and automatic human information processing. II. Perceptual learning, automatic attending, and a general theory. Psychological Review, 84(2), 127-190.

Slavin, R. E. (1990). Cooperative Learning: Theory, Research, and Practice. Prentice Hall.

Smith, M. A., & Jones, C. (2010). Cognitive development and educational interventions. Journal of Educational Psychology, 102(1), 32-43.

Sternberg, R. J. (2003). Cognitive Psychology (3rd ed.). Wadsworth Publishing.

Vygotsky, L. S. (1978). Mind in Society: The Development of Higher Psychological Processes. Harvard University Press.

Mahra, Anil Kumar. "THE ROLE OF GENDER IN ONLINE SHOPPING-A."

Mahra, Anil Kumar. "A SYSTEMATIC LITERATURE REVIEW ON RISK MANAGEMENT FOR INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY." (2019).

Mahra, Anil Kumar. "Management Information Technology: Managing the Organisation in Digital Era." International Journal of Advanced Science and Technology 4238.29 (2005): 6.

Kumar, Anil, et al. "Investigating the role of social media in polio prevention in India: A Delphi-DEMATEL approach." Kybernetes 47.5 (2018): 1053-1072.

Kumar, Anil. "Investigating the role of social media in polio prevention in India: a Delphi-DEMATEL approach Anil Kumar, Mohamad Amin Kaviani, Eleonora Bottani, Manoj Kumar Dash, Edmundas Kazimieras Zavadskas."

Downloads

Published

2026-02-07

How to Cite

Sharma, D. A. (2026). Motor Learning, Skill Acquisition, and Behavioral Adaptation in Physical Tasks. International Journal of Behavioral Social and Movement Sciences Established in March 2014 | Published Quarterly (March, June, September, December), 14(03), 12–23. Retrieved from https://ijobsms.org/index.php/ijobsms/article/view/579

Issue

Vol. 14 No. 03 (2025): Volume: 14, Issue: 03, Jul – Sep 2025

Section

Articles

License

Creative Commons License

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.

© 2025 International Journal of Behavioral Social and Movement Sciences. All Rights Reserved.

All content published in this journal, including articles, images, and other intellectual property, is protected by copyright law. No part of this publication may be reproduced, distributed, or transmitted in any form or by any means without the prior written permission of the publisher.

For permissions and inquiries, please contact us at: editor@theuniversityacademics.com

 

License Terms for Publications in International Journal of Behavioral Social and Movement Sciences

By submitting an article to the International Journal of Behavioral Social and Movement Sciences, authors agree to the following terms:

  1. License Grant:

    • Authors retain copyright for their work. However, by submitting their work, authors grant the journal a non-exclusive, worldwide, royalty-free license to publish, reproduce, distribute, display, and otherwise use the article in any form and medium (print or digital) in perpetuity.

  2. Open Access:

    • Articles published in this journal are made freely available to the public under the terms of an open-access license. The journal allows anyone to access, download, copy, distribute, print, search, or link to the full text of the articles.

  3. Attribution:

    • Authors are required to provide proper citation and attribution to the original article when reusing or referencing content. The attribution should include the author(s), title of the article, journal name, volume, issue, and publication year.

  4. Reuse of Material:

    • Authors may reuse their published work for non-commercial purposes, including reprinting in other publications or personal websites, provided proper attribution is given to the original publication.

  5. Creative Commons License:

    • The journal may publish articles under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License (CC BY 4.0), which allows others to remix, adapt, and build upon the work, even for commercial purposes, as long as they give appropriate credit to the original author(s).

  6. Peer Review:

    • The submitted article will undergo a thorough peer-review process, and the final decision regarding publication rests with the editorial board of the journal.

  7. Withdrawal:

    • Once accepted for publication, articles may only be withdrawn with the approval of the editorial board and must not be published elsewhere in any form without prior written consent.