Which statement accurately describes open-loop motor programs?

Which statement accurately describes open-loop motor programs?

• A. They are quick, automatic, and cannot be modified once started; they are closed or self-paced; all information is sent in a single message to the muscles.
• B. They are performed with feedback and can be altered during execution.
• C. They require continuous feedback to adjust errors.
• D. They can be modified during execution.

Answer: (A)

Open-loop motor programs are pre-planned sequences that run without using sensory feedback to make adjustments during the movement. Once the command is issued, the action proceeds automatically to completion, with no mid-course corrections based on what is sensed. This makes the movement very fast and efficient for ballistic, rapid actions where there isn’t time to rely on feedback. The key idea is that the control signal to the muscles is prepared in advance and executed without modification during execution. In contrast, the other descriptions describe closed-loop control, which relies on continuous feedback and allows changes during the movement.

Open-loop motor programs are pre-planned sequences that run without using sensory feedback to make adjustments during the movement. Once the command is issued, the action proceeds automatically to completion, with no mid-course corrections based on what is sensed. This makes the movement very fast and efficient for ballistic, rapid actions where there isn’t time to rely on feedback. The key idea is that the control signal to the muscles is prepared in advance and executed without modification during execution. In contrast, the other descriptions describe closed-loop control, which relies on continuous feedback and allows changes during the movement.