Motor Behavior Laboratory TB1 101 phone: 303-492-7561

Research Interests

• The control and coordination of human movement with an emphasis on bimanual and upper extremity coordination.


• How information feedback affects motor skill learning.


• How the focus of attention affects neuromuscular control.

Personnel

• Directors: David E. Sherwood, Ph.D.


• Graduate Student Assistant: Keith Lohse.


• Undergraduate Student Assistants: Jennifer Mijer, Taylor Nystrom.

Back row (left to right): Ross Blahnik, Dr. Sherwood, Keith Lohse, Colton Jackson. Front row (left to right): Kelly Klein, Brian Buffell, Jennifer Mijer, Jennifer Tschoepe, Jordana Saliman, Jessica Fosler.

Current Research Projects

• Spatial assimilation effects in overlapping and sequential bimanual movements. To determine whether spatial assimilations can be modulated by offsetting bimanual movements in time.


• How the focus of attention influences neuromuscular control and movement accuracy.


• Random and blocked practice schedules and error detection mechanisms in rapid movement.


• How information feedback influences motor learning.


• The effect of visual feedback on the control of rapid sequential movements.

Opportunities for Undergraduates

• Contact Dr. Sherwood for research opportunities (UROP, URAP, BA/MS Program, Independent Study). All interested students are encouraged to contact me.


• Any students pursuing Honors in the lab are required to take IPHY 4740, Theory of Motor Skill Learning or IPHY 3660, Dynamics of Motor Learning.

Videos

Recent Publications

• Lohse KR, Healy AF, Sherwood DE. Mental practice in the intermanual transfer of motor skill. Journal of Imagery Research in Sport and Physical Activity 5: Article 6, 2010.


• Lohse KR, Sherwood DE, Healy AF. How changing the focus of attention affects performance, kinematics, and electromyography in dart throwing. Human Movement Science 29: 542-555, 2010.


• Lohse KR, Sherwood DE, Healy AF. Neuromuscular effects of shifting the focus of attention in a simple force production task. Journal of Motor Behavior 43: 173-184, 2011.


• Sherwood DE. Detecting and correcting errors in rapid aiming movements: Effects of movement time, distance, and velocity. Research Quarterly for Exercise and Sport 81: 300-309, 2010.


• Sherwood DE. Parameter value switching in discrete and continuous aiming movements. Perceptual and Motor Skills 111: 901-917, 2010.


• Sherwood DE, Duffell B. Concurrent visual feedback, practice organization, and spatial aiming accuracy in rapid movement sequences. International Journal of Exercise Science 3: 78-91, 2010.

Funding

• Undergraduate Research Opportunity Program, University of Colorado at Boulder.