Which group of motor skills is most effective under SNS activation?

When the sympathetic nervous system (SNS) is activated, typically in response to stress or a perceived threat, the body undergoes several physiological changes that enhance performance in certain types of physical activities. Gross motor skills, which involve large muscle groups and are generally less intricate than finer, more complex movements, are most effectively utilized during these heightened states of arousal.

This is largely due to the body's ability to divert energy and focus towards survival-oriented actions, making movements that require less precision but more power particularly advantageous. Gross motor skills enable quick, large-scale movements such as running, pushing, or striking, which can be vital in a high-pressure situation where immediate or decisive action is required.

In contrast, fine motor skills, which necessitate greater dexterity and coordination, and complex motor skills, which involve more detailed sequences of movement, tend to be less effective during periods of SNS activation. The stress response can cause a decrease in fine motor control and the cognitive processing required for complex tasks may become compromised, making gross motor skills the optimal choice in such scenarios.