Final answer:
The cerebellum is responsible for coordinating movement rather than initiating it, hence why motor program initiation is preserved despite cerebellar damage. Ataxia is a common result of this damage, reflecting coordination issues rather than an inability to begin movements.
Step-by-step explanation:
The question pertains to why there are no deficits in initiating or selecting a movement following cerebellar damage. The answer is d) Preservation of motor programs. The cerebellum plays a crucial role in coordinating movement and ensuring smooth execution, but it does not initiate movement. Motor programs are stored and executed by other parts of the brain, such as the motor cortex, and thus, initiation of movement is preserved even with cerebellar damage. However, the coordination and modulation of those movements, which the cerebellum is responsible for, can be impaired, leading to ataxia or issues with balance and precise control.
Damage to the cerebellum can manifest in movement disorders such as ataxia, characterized by a loss of coordination in voluntary movements. It is not that initiating or selecting movements isn't possible but rather that the execution of these movements lacks coordination. Problems in gait, balance, and proprioception after cerebellar damage highlight the cerebellum's role in comparing motor commands and sensory feedback, but not its role in initiating the original commands for movement.