Which statement about feedback in motor control is true?

• A. Feedback increases steady-state error.
• B. Feedback allows the system to correct errors in position or speed.
• C. Feedback is unnecessary for accuracy.
• D. Feedback only measures temperature.

Answer: (B)

Feedback in motor control is the sensory information about the result of a movement that lets you compare where your limb actually is and how fast it’s moving to where you intended it to be. This comparison creates an error signal, and the system uses that signal to adjust motor commands so you can reduce the difference between the goal and the outcome. This negative feedback loop is what keeps actions accurate even when there are disturbances like unexpected loads, muscle fatigue, or small errors in initial positioning.

Because of this, feedback is what enables corrections in both position and speed. If your hand is off target or moving too slowly or too quickly, the sensory input tells your nervous system to tweak muscle activation to bring the movement back toward the desired state. It’s also why movements feel smooth and precise: the system continually monitors performance and makes small, ongoing adjustments.

This idea contradicts the notion that feedback would increase steady-state error or be unnecessary for accuracy. Proper feedback reduces steady-state error by continuously correcting deviations, and skilled movements rely on it precisely to maintain precision amid changing conditions. And the concept isn’t limited to measuring temperature; in motor control, feedback uses senses like proprioception and vision to monitor limb position, velocity, and force.