Dexterity isn't just physical skill but a form of intelligence expressed through movement, what Nikolai Bernstein calls "motor wits." We explore how motor skills develop through qualitative changes in the nervous system rather than simple repetition.
• Dexterity defined as "motor wits" - the ability to find movement solutions in any situation
• Motor skills develop through stages with sudden "clicks" when the nervous system figures something out
• Skills aren't fixed formulas but adaptive responses requiring constant sensory feedback
• Automatisms are background corrections that happen without conscious thought
• Skill transfer occurs when different activities share similar background corrections
• The "creative pause" or plateau in learning is actually your nervous system recalibrating
• Real-world examples show dexterity saving lives in unexpected situations
• Developing varied movement experiences builds a richer library of motor adaptations
Challenge yourself with new activities and movement patterns to develop greater adaptability and motor intelligence. See what you're capable of!