Department of Kinesiology

School of Health and Human Sciences

Department of Kinesiology > Academic Programs > Graduate > Areas of Study > Motor Behavior

Areas of Study: Motor Behavior

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Motor Behavior

The Motor Behavior area focuses on research in the disciplines of motor learning and motor control. This collaborative environment prepares practitioners, researchers, and educators reduce injury risk, return to normal function post-injury, and improve health and performance of physically active individual or all ages.

Goals and Objectives

Goal 1

Produce highly competent practitioners, researchers, and educators and who possess the knowledge and skills to be distinctly competitive in the job market, and who appreciate and value their role as a contributing professional in larger communities of Kinesiology and Health Care.

Objectives

  1. Offer quality educational programs through UNCG´s Department of Kinesiology that prepare masters and doctoral level students for careers in motor behavior and related disciplines.
  2. Provide teaching assistant and mentoring opportunities for doctoral students through the undergraduate kinesiology degree.
  3. Provide research assistantships and training for undergraduate and graduate students in motor behavior and related disciplines.
  4. Promote professional development through student involvement in local, regional and national professional meetings and activities; providing networking opportunities with nationally recognized scholars and clinicians through invited lectures; engaging in dialogue that promotes understanding of current professional and employment practices; and mentoring students in the dissemination of their research through abstract presentations at appropriate professional meetings.

Goal 2

Improve the health and performance of the physically active across the lifespan through research and education.

Objectives

  1. Promote scientific inquiry leading to clinical and basic knowledge. This includes, but is not limited to:
    • Examining how attentional focus affects human performance
    • Determine the relation between neural correlates and motor behavior through the use of fMRI techniques
    • Developing and applying objective, quantifiable metrics that accurately index functional mobility
    • Creating virtual reality applications specifically designed to restore functional mobility
  2. Collaborate with area clinicians to promote clinically applied research that bridges scientific inquiry with clinical practice.

Goal 3

Promote and support student and faculty initiated research activities in a collaborative, multidisciplinary environment.

Objectives

  1. Promote the undergraduate research mission of the University by securing undergraduate research assistantships and partnering undergraduate students with graduate student and faculty mentors on ongoing research activities.
  2. Conduct regular laboratory meetings to communicate research ideas and scientific findings, to critically examine the literature, and to initiate collaborative projects.
  3. Identify faculty / student research teams to address and advance the laboratory research agenda.
  4. Collaborate with the School of Health and Human Sciences Center for Women´s Health and Wellness on research related to women´s health and physical activity.

Concentration Faculty

Labs

Faculty and graduate students in the motor behavior area primarily work in one of the four labs listed below, but they are encouraged to use any lab space/resources that can help address their specific research questions. Each lab has a unique focus, as outlined below:

  1. Motor Behavior Laboratory (MB Lab)
  2. Virtual Environment for Assessment and Rehabilitation (VEAR Lab)
  3. Balance and Training Lab (BAT Lab)
  4. Applied Neuromechanics Research Lab (ANRL)

MS Degree Information

The MS Program in Kinesiology with a concentration in Motor Behavior is primarily intended for individuals who wish to gain an advanced knowledge base in the areas of motor learning and motor control. This is a coursework only degree.

Plan of Study

Each student progresses through their degrees based on his/her individual plan of study as approved by their advisor and committee. Sample plans of study are available by bulletin year entered (if applicable), degree and concentration area on the KIN Graduate Program Canvas Organization.

Once logged in, the plans of study forms are accessible as follows:

Graduate Policies & Forms – KIN Departmental Forms – Plan of Study Forms

Application Requirements/Application Process

KIN Graduate Admission Process and Requirements.