Which term describes a motor skill with a well-defined start and finish?

• A. Discrete motor skill
• B. Continuous motor skill
• C. Serial motor skill
• D. Open motor skill

Answer: (A)

When considering motor skills, the timing boundaries of the action matter. A discrete motor skill is defined by a clearly identifiable beginning and end, making the movement a single, self-contained action. This means the skill can be easily separated from what comes before and after, such as a single clap, a button press, or snapping the fingers. The entire movement is completed in a brief moment with a distinct finish.

Continuous motor skills, in contrast, flow without a natural endpoint—like running or swimming laps—where the action keeps going until something stops it. Serial motor skills are sequences of discrete actions performed in a series (a routine made of several distinct steps). Open motor skills relate to unpredictable environments, but the defining start-and-finish characteristic still distinguishes discrete skills from the others.