The Body as a Hierarchical Action-Perception System : an Approach from Skilled Human Performance

Abstract

  Skilled performers in sports, dance, music possess domain-specific cognitive-motor function. The body, which supports skilled performance, is a complex and exquisite system composed of a vast number of cells and a variety of role-differentiated tissues. Human movements are built on multiple levels based on the basic structure of physical development, with the more basic levels serving as a background to underpin the higher levels to achieve advanced motor skills. The fundamental level of hierarchical movement construction includes tension/relaxation, posture, breathing, equilibrium, and is positioned as a common ground in various physical performances. Moreover, movement is generated amongst various external environments and various internal environments, and utilization of all these internal and external environmental resources is necessary to realize advanced performance. Since the possibility of action is perceived by the functional unit of the body-environment system, it is necessary to reconsider the exploration for action resources and the hierarchy of movement construction from the viewpoint of the body extending into the environment.