Coordinative abilities – the 5 abilities explained simply
Coordinative abilities
Have you ever wondered what coordinative abilities are? We explain.
"Coordinative abilities are abilities that are primarily determined by coordinative processes, i.e. by the processes of movement control and regulation. (Hirtz 1981). They enable the athlete to master motor actions safely and economically in predictable (stereotype) and unpredictable (adaptation) situations and to learn sports movements relatively quickly." (Weineck 2010)
Coordinative abilities vs. coordinative skills
A distinction must be made between coordinative abilities and coordinative skills. While coordinative abilities are rather the basic prerequisites for a specific movement execution, the term coordinative skills describes specific, in some cases even automated, movement patterns that require a minimum level of coordinative abilities.
Basically, a distinction is made between general and specific coordinative abilities. General coordinative abilities are based on polysportive and comprehensive movement training and are regularly needed and trained in a wide variety of everyday situations.
Special coordinative abilities are already more competition-specific and therefore differ between the various disciplines and are adapted to their technical requirements.
The coordinative abilities are divided into 5 main groups (see figure). In addition to the main abilities, coupling ability and learning ability are also described as additional coordinative abilities.
Overview of the 5 coordinative abilities
Figure: The 5 coordinative abilities (after Weineck 1997, 545)
1) Sensory differentiation ability
Ability to differentiate incoming sensory information to check for what is important and to adjust the movement accordingly in a measured way.
Example: Catching a ball passed hard or softly
2) Spatial-temporal orientation ability
Ability to determine and purposefully change the position and movement of the body in space and time (e.g. playing field, apparatus) and/or a moving object (e.g. ball, opponent, partner).
Example: Getting free in play
3) Reaction ability
Ability to react to a signal as quickly as possible with a goal-oriented movement. The signals can be of different types: visual, acoustic, tactile.
Example: A sprinter's reaction to the acoustic signal at the start.
4) Rhythmisation ability
Ability to perceive a rhythm given from outside as well as to realise the "internalised" rhythm of a movement that exists in one's own imagination in one's own movement.
Example: Moving to the rhythm of the music during a group fitness class.
5) Balance ability
Ability to keep the whole body in a state of balance or to maintain or restore this state during and after extensive body shifts.
Example: Balancing on a balance board.
Coupling ability
Ability to connect already practised movement patterns of individual body parts (trunk, head, extremities) with each other and thus carry out a holistic, coordinated action.
Example: Perfectly combining jumping and throwing movements in a jump shot in handball to achieve optimal throwing power, accuracy and jump height.
Learning ability
Ability to learn new movement patterns quickly and effectively and store them. It is important to be able to recall already known movement patterns as effectively as possible and integrate them into new combinations.
