Motor planning and initiation

Motor planning and initiation refers to one's capacity to plan, organize and sequence motor skills to achieve complex movement patterns; such as those for walking, running, climbing, or dancing. It involves the ability to complete a task from start to finish with an efficient use of body movement. Motor planning requires a great deal of feed-forward control, as one must anticipate the next movement before attempting to execute it. Executing a motor plan has many components. It includes formulating the correct sequence of body movements to complete a given task, the ability to shift between different types of movements, and the ability to adjust a plan if needed. Motor planning also includes the ability to start a movement with a desired outcome or end goal. For example, if one must throw a ball to a specific location, one must plan the desired trajectory beforehand and adjust it according to the conditions of the environment. In addition to motor planning, one must also have the ability to initiate a movement in order to execute a motor plan. Motor initiation is the ability to plan and set up for the desired motor activity. It includes taking into account the environment, selecting the right direction of movement, and sharply initiating a pattern of movement. For example, a skilled dancer must consider the type of dance floor, type of music, and desired movements before catching the music's beat and initiating movement. Overall, motor planning and initiation are essential for performing even simple everyday tasks. Poor motor planning and initiation skills can result in difficulty with completing a task, learning new behaviors, and safely operating a motor vehicle. To address these issues, therapeutic approaches such as physical, occupational and speech therapies can help those with motor planning and initiation difficulties to refine their skills.