XNB271 Motor Control

Unit Outline: Semester 1 2026, Kelvin Grove, Internal

Overview

This unit is designed to develop understanding of how humans control movement. You will learn about the organisation and function of the neurological and sensory systems as they relate to the control of movement. Further, you will develop skills to appropriately assess motor control in physical activity and exercise contexts. Mechanistic understanding of human movement planning and execution is imperative to the functions of an exercise professional, with learnings from this unit informing the devising of individualised fitness and skill acquisition programs. It is also crucial for assessing and understanding movement difficulties arising from injury and disease particularly in clinical rehabilitation environments.

Learning Outcomes

On successful completion of this unit you will be able to:

1. Explain the underlying behavioural and neurophysiological processes involved in motor control
2. Describe and discuss the structure and function of the neuromuscular and sensory systems as they relate to the control of voluntary and involuntary movement.
3. Describe the effects of age, injury or disease related movement disorders on aspects of motor control
4. Measure and record motor performance learning and control using appropriate test protocols

Content

Learning Approaches

This unit is based around the discussion of key articles which introduce the major topics with some supplementary lecture material where required. This will require you to read articles that complement the lectures. Use is made of assigned reading, and video recordings. You are encouraged to actively participate in questions and discussions during the lectures and laboratories. In these laboratories, you will interpret the theoretical basis of motor control and learning to select and perform assessments of motor skills.

Feedback on Learning and Assessment

Feedback to Students
Assessment will be spaced throughout the semester to provide the opportunity for feedback on your learning to that point. Feedback in this unit is provided to you in the following ways:

• You will be provided with verbal and/or written feedback on each piece of formative and summative assessment during the semester;
• comments on summative assessment work in addition to criteria sheets; and
• Generic comments back to the cohort via QUT Canvas.

You are encouraged to communicate with the unit coordinator or teaching staff if you have any questions or concerns about the assessment items.

Assessment

Overview

General Assessment Information

Each assessment item is designed to measure your knowledge and mastery of professional skills stated in the learning outcomes.

Unit Grading Scheme

7- point scale

Assessment Tasks

Assessment: Laboratory Reports

Five laboratory reports will be submitted relating to understanding key principles of sensorimotor control, your capacity to conduct and interpret common motor control assessments, and consolidating your understanding of neural, sensory and motor systems interact in motor control

This assignment is eligible for the 48-hour late submission period and assignment extensions.

The ethical and responsible use of generative artificial intelligence (GenAI) tools is authorised in this assessment. See the relevant assessment details page for specific guidelines.

Assessment: Written Examination

The final written examination comprises questions pertaining to the principles of motor control. The examination includes multiple choice and short answer questions that ensure you are able to meet ESSA accreditation standards in the area of motor control and learning.  

The use of generative artificial intelligence (AI) tools is NOT authorised during this assessment. Unauthorised use may be treated as a breach of the Academic Integrity Policy and appropriate penalties imposed.

Academic Integrity

Academic integrity is a commitment to undertaking academic work and assessment in a manner that is ethical, fair, honest, respectful and accountable.

The Academic Integrity Policy sets out the range of conduct that can be a failure to maintain the standards of academic integrity. This includes, cheating in exams, plagiarism, self-plagiarism, collusion and contract cheating. It also includes providing fraudulent or altered documentation in support of an academic concession application, for example an assignment extension or a deferred exam.

You are encouraged to make use of QUT’s learning support services, resources and tools to assure the academic integrity of your assessment. This includes the use of text matching software that may be available to assist with self-assessing your academic integrity as part of the assessment submission process.

Breaching QUT’s Academic Integrity Policy or engaging in conduct that may defeat or compromise the purpose of assessment can lead to a finding of student misconduct (Code of Conduct – Student) and result in the imposition of penalties under the Management of Student Misconduct Policy, ranging from a grade reduction to exclusion from QUT.

Resources

Risk Assessment Statement

You are required to read and abide by the Health and Safety Rules for School of Exercise and Nutrition Sciences Laboratories and Clinics prior to undertaking any of the laboratories for this unit. These Health and Safety Rules are provided in electronic form on the online teaching site for this unit and are prominently displayed in hardcopy within the laboratory/clinic.

Course Learning Outcomes

XN50 Bachelor of Sport and Exercise Science

1. Design and deliver exercise assessments and programs to meet the specific needs of contemporary sport, exercise and health contexts.
   Relates to: Laboratory Reports, Written Examination
2. Apply problem-solving, critical thinking, and analytical reasoning to implement, analyse and evaluate evidence-based interventions for diverse clients and stakeholders.
   Relates to: Written Examination

XN51 Bachelor of Clinical Exercise Physiology

1. Design and deliver exercise assessments and programs to meet the specific needs of individuals and populations across the full health spectrum.
   Relates to: Laboratory Reports, Written Examination
2. Apply problem-solving, critical thinking and analytical reasoning to implement, analyse and evaluate evidence-based interventions for diverse clients and stakeholders.
   Relates to: Laboratory Reports, Written Examination

XN52 Bachelor of Clinical Exercise Physiology (Honours)

1. Design and deliver exercise assessments and programs to meet the specific needs of individuals and populations across the full health spectrum.
   Relates to: Laboratory Reports, Written Examination
2. Apply problem-solving, critical thinking and analytical reasoning to implement, analyse and evaluate evidence-based interventions for diverse clients and stakeholders.
   Relates to: Written Examination

XN55 Bachelor of Sport and Exercise Science (Honours)

1. Design and deliver advanced exercise assessments and programs to meet the specific needs of contemporary sport, exercise and health contexts.
   Relates to: Laboratory Reports
2. Critically apply problem-solving, innovative thinking, and analytical reasoning to develop, implement and evaluate evidence-based interventions for diverse clients and stakeholders.
   Relates to: Written Examination