Utah Special Function Officer (SFO) Practice Exam

What are complex motor skills?

1. Basic physical skills without need for fine coordination

2. Skills that combine fine and gross motor skills, timed to a single event

3. Skills that require repetitive actions without coordination

4. Fundamental skills learned in primary education

The correct answer is: Skills that combine fine and gross motor skills, timed to a single event

Complex motor skills involve the integration of both fine and gross motor skills, which are coordinated to accomplish a specific task or event. This definition captures the essence of what complex motor skills are—greater intricacies and demands than simple tasks that require the body to perform various movements in harmony. For instance, the ability to play a musical instrument or engage in sports requires timing, precision, and the coordination of different muscle groups to execute a sequence of movements effectively. Such skills often develop from practice and require the brain to engage various cognitive processes to guide the body in performing these activities smoothly. The other options focus on more simplistic interpretations of motor skills or do not accurately encompass the definition of complex motor skills. For instance, basic physical skills and fundamental skills learned in primary education might involve easier tasks without the need for coordination or timing that complex skills demand. Similarly, skills involving repetitive actions without the necessity for coordination don’t capture the multifaceted nature of complex motor skills, which are inherently more sophisticated in their execution.