What are discrete motor skills characterized by?

Discrete motor skills are characterized by having a distinct beginning and end. These skills are typically brief and well-defined, meaning they involve a clear initiation and conclusion. Examples of discrete motor skills include actions like throwing a ball, kicking a soccer ball, or shooting a basketball. The nature of these skills allows for clear assessment and measurement of performance, as they can be executed in isolation without the need for a prolonged duration of continuous activity.

The other options describe different aspects of motor skills. For instance, extended, continuous actions without a clear start and finish refer to continuous motor skills, such as running or swimming, which involve ongoing movement. The idea that skills are only learned through repetition better aligns with all motor skills, not just discrete skills. Lastly, complex sequences of learned movements pertain to serial skills, which involve a combination of discrete skills executed in a specific order, rather than focusing on the defined start and stop characteristic of discrete skills.