What is the term for the inability to coordinate voluntary muscle movements?

Ataxia is the term that describes the inability to coordinate voluntary muscle movements, leading to difficulties with balance, gait, and fine motor tasks. This condition is often a result of dysfunction in the cerebellum or other parts of the central nervous system that are responsible for the timing and precision of muscle movements.

When someone has ataxia, they may appear clumsy or unsteady, which can make activities like walking, writing, or even speaking challenging. It is important to differentiate ataxia from other similar conditions, as it specifically refers to coordination issues while maintaining muscle strength.

For instance, dysphasia relates to language and communication difficulties, spasticity involves increased muscle tone and stiffness affecting movement, and apraxia is the inability to perform purposeful movements despite having the physical capability to do so. These conditions impact different aspects of motor control and communication, distinguishing them from ataxia's hallmark of disrupted coordination in voluntary movements.