2. Introduction to motor function and mobility


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A woman wearing glasses is walking.

Motor functions

Motor functions describe any activity or movement of the body.

Motor functions include:

  • Gross motor skills
  • Fine motor skills.


a woman is catching a ball, in the park

Gross motor skills

Gross motor skills are the abilities to control the large muscles of the body, including:

  • Whole body activities such as walking, running and jumping
  • Sitting upright and maintaining balance
  • Hand-eye coordination skills such as throwing or catching a ball.


two hands are doing up laces of a sports shoe

Fine motor skills

Fine motor skills are the abilities to control the smaller movements of the hands and fingers, including:

  • Doing up or undoing shoelaces
  • Counting coins, the palm of the hand.   


A woman pushes her wheelchair down the path, a man walks next to her

Mobility

Mobility is the ability to move around freely and easily.

  • This includes:
  • Sitting up from a lying position
  • Standing up out of a chair
  • Walking
  • Self-propelling a wheelchair.

Good motor functions support good mobility.


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