Influence of the perception of biological or non-biological motion on movement execution

The perception of a human actor performing movements may involve processes related to action execution. This resonance of the motor system may support observational learning and imitation, and could also explain the fact that observers'/actors' movements are disturbed by the observation of a human model making different movements (Kilner et al., 2003). In this study, we tried to specify what information available in the model's behaviour triggers this influence on an observer's behaviour. In two experiments, we had participants make horizontal or vertical arm movements while observing similar movements. In the first experiment, the observers' pattern of behaviour was affected by the observation of a human model making incongruent movements. In the second experiment, similar results were obtained with participants observing a moving dot depicting either biological or non-biological motion. Movement execution was affected differentially by biological and non-biological motion observation. These results show that an observer's behaviour is sensitive to information available in biological motion.     

What is modelled during observational learning?

In this article, we examine the question of what information is processed during observational learning by evaluating a variety of methods, theories, and empirical data. Initially, we review work involving neuroimaging techniques and infant imitation. We then evaluate data from behavioural experiments involving adults, wherein a variety of attempts have been made to isolate the critical or minimal information constraining the acquisition of coordination. This body of research has included comparisons between video and point-light displays, manipulations to the amount and type of information presented in the display, the collection of point-of-gaze data, and manipulations to the task context in terms of outcome goals. We conclude that observational learning is governed by specific features of the model's action (i.e. motions of the end effector) and the task (i.e. outcome constraints) and, in contrast with traditional theoretical modelling, more global aspects of a model (i.e. the relative motions within and between joints) do not appear to be the primary method for constraining action execution.     

The athletes’ visuomotor system – Cortical processes contributing to faster visuomotor reactions

Many sports require athletes to rapidly transform visual information into a targeted motor response, a process referred to as visuomotor reaction. On the behavioural level, athletes have long been established to achieve faster simple visuomotor reaction times when compared to non-athletes. However, although the superior performance in athletes has been attributed to the central nervous system, the underlying neural mechanisms remained poorly studied. More recently, a growing number of neurophysiological and neuroimaging studies systematically addressed the functional and structural modulations in the athletes’ visual and motor systems as well as their contribution to visuomotor performance. This article reviews current research on structural and functional characteristics of the athletes’ cortical visuomotor system associated with simple visuomotor reactions, sports-specific visuomotor performance and visuomotor training. The primary objective is to shed light on the neural mechanisms potentially contributing to superior visuomotor reaction performance in athletes participating in visuomotor demanding disciplines. A more comprehensive understanding of performance-determining neural functions could provide great potential for diagnostics and training to improve athletic performance.     

Manipulating visual informational constraints during practice enhances the acquisition of catching skill in children.

Previous motor learning studies examining the effects of practicing to catch one-handed under varying informational constraints on subsequent skill acquisition are equivocal, perhaps due to the use of relatively inexperienced adult participants. Ecological theory predicts that directing the learner's search for information in the perceptual-motor workspace can enhance skill acquisition. This study manipulated visual informational constraints on novice children (ages 9-10 years) learning to catch one-handed. A crossover transfer design was implemented in which one group acted as controls while two other groups practiced either without visual restrictions before transferring to full vision, or vice versa. The data indicated that learners forced to seek additional information sources under restricted viewing conditions demonstrated a greater positive, accumulative residual effect on acquiring a catching skill. The findings contradict current work on the specificity of practice hypothesis and suggest that varying visual informational constraints to encourage exploratory practice may represent a significant pedagogical approach to motor learning in sport.     

视障运动员动作记忆感觉道效应的实验研究

采用实验法,借助加工分离的实验程序,以视障运动员(包括盲童和低视力运动员)为实验组,低视力和明眼学生为对照组,非言语为实验材料,对视障运动员动作记忆感觉道效应进行实验研究。结果表明:学习和测验阶段感觉道的改变,对动作内隐记忆影响较大,对动作外显记忆则影响较小;视障运动员的意识性提取成绩显著优于视障学生,而两者之间的自动提取成绩几乎无差异。     

Biomechanical energetic analysis of technique during learning the longswing on the high bar

Biomechanical energetic analysis of technique can be performed to identify limits or constraints to performance outcome at the level of joint work, and to assess the mechanical efficiency of techniques. The aim of this study was to investigate the biomechanical energetic processes during learning the longswing on the high bar. Twelve male, novice participants took part in a training study. Kinematic and kinetics data were collected during swing attempts in eight weekly testing sessions. Inverse dynamics analysis was performed from known zero forces at the toes. Joint work, total energy, and bar energy were calculated. Biomechanical constraints to action, that is, limits to novice performance, were identified as “total work” and “shoulder work”. The most biomechanically efficient technique was associated with an onset of the hip functional phase and joint work that occurred between 10–45° before the bottom of the swing. The learning of gross motor skills is realised through the establishment of a set of techniques with task specific biomechanical constraints. Knowledge of the biomechanical constraints to action associated with more effective and efficient techniques will be useful for both assessing learning and establishing effective learning interventions.     

学生观察技能的培养对挺身式跳远教学效果的影响

就学生的观察技能对动作技能的形成是否具有促进作用的问题进行了探讨。通过跳远教学实验表明 ,有目的地运用观察程序来提高学生的观察技能 ,有助于学生形成正确的动作技能     

Goal Orientation and the Modeling Process: An Individual's Focus on Form and Outcome

Abstract

One's achievement goal orientation (e.g., task, ego) is suggested to reflect a differential focus on skill mastery and performance outcome (Duda, 1992). Goal orientation has further been suggested to be an important observer characteristic in the observational learning of motor skills (McCullagh, Weiss, & Ross, 1989). This study assessed the relationship between goal orientation and a focus on form and outcome aspects of a motor skill demonstration with college students (N = 30) having low perceived ability, knowledge, and experience in tennis. Participants viewed several videotaped demonstrations of a correctly performed tennis forehand and then visual recognition and verbal recall accuracy of form and outcome task characteristics were assessed. A canonical correlation analysis revealed a nonsignificant relationship between goal orientation and recall and recognition of form and outcome task characteristics. These results provide preliminary evidence to suggest that goal orientation may not be an important observer characteristic in the learning phase of the modeling process. Also, achievement goal orientations may not be associated with a differential focus on skill mastery or performance outcome but instead remain a reflection of divergent processes of success evaluation.     

Effects of the model's skill level on observational motor learning.

Observation of a model prior to physical practice often facilitates the acquisition of motor skills. The majority of research studies on observational motor learning has used a skilled model for the demonstration. Recent research, however, suggests that observing an unskilled (learning) model may also be effective. The experiment reported here compared motor skill acquisition following observation of a learning model or a skilled model to the performance of subjects who lacked the benefit of observation. The task was to play a computer tracking game. Subjects were tested in pairs. Observers watched either a skilled or a learning model perform 3 trials. The observers then practiced the game for 3 trials. Observation of another 12 trials was followed by 12 more practice trials. Substantial observational learning was found, as both groups of observers performed better than the learning models after both the 3 initial trials of observation and after 12 more observation trials. However, there were no differences due to observing the skilled or the learning model. These findings are discussed in relation to theoretical issues of observational learning.     

不同相对频率的视觉表现反馈对运动技能学习效果影响的实验研究

运动技能控制与学习领域中追加反馈的研究始终是国内外学者研究的重要课题,而追加反馈中的表现反馈更是学者们研究的焦点问题。运用文献资料法、实验法和数理统计法等,架构于乒乓球正手发下旋球这项运动技能,对参与该项运动技能的学习者施加100%相对频率的视觉方式表现反馈和33%相对频率的视觉方式表现反馈。结果表明:①在运动技能学习阶段采用视觉方式表现反馈指导运动技能,高频率视觉反馈组的绩效好于低频率视觉反馈组;②在运动技能3min保留阶段采用视觉方式表现反馈指导运动技能,视觉高频率反馈组的绩效好于视觉低频率反馈组;③在运动技能48h保留阶段采用视觉方式表现反馈指导运动技能,视觉高频率反馈组的绩效与视觉低频率反馈组的绩效无显著性差异。     

The role of visual perception measures used in sports vision programmes in predicting actual game performance in Division I collegiate hockey players

In the growing field of sports vision little is still known about unique attributes of visual processing in ice hockey and what role visual processing plays in the overall athlete’s performance. In the present study we evaluated whether visual, perceptual and cognitive/motor variables collected using the Nike SPARQ Sensory Training Station have significant relevance to the real game statistics of 38 Division I collegiate male and female hockey players. The results demonstrated that 69% of variance in the goals made by forwards in 2011–2013 could be predicted by their faster reaction time to a visual stimulus, better visual memory, better visual discrimination and a faster ability to shift focus between near and far objects. Approximately 33% of variance in game points was significantly related to better discrimination among competing visual stimuli. In addition, reaction time to a visual stimulus as well as stereoptic quickness significantly accounted for 24% of variance in the mean duration of the player’s penalty time. This is one of the first studies to show that some of the visual skills that state-of-the-art generalised sports vision programmes are purported to target may indeed be important for hockey players’ actual performance on the ice.     

Anerkennungs- und Missachtungsprozesse im Sportunterricht

This paper focuses on an extract of a broad research project about processes of recognition and non-recognition among students in physical education (PE). Based on a mixed-method research design (e.g. video recordings, sociograms, video-stimulated recall interviews and rating of sport motor competency of students by PE teachers), the complexity and contextuality of student interactions in PE were reconstructed. Due to a systematical data triangulation, different PE contexts could be identified where students transmit recognition and non-recognition by using different strategies. This paper presents the results of one of these contexts where PE teachers make students regulate their own exercise, learning or game processes. In these situations, students refer to different power sources: situational control of resources, sport motor competence and/or social position, mutual friendship and image of a power person. The social order in the class is visibly constructed in form of recognition and non-recognition relations.     

动作技能学习神经生理机制研究

动作技能学习是人类活动的基础,对人类的生存与发展具有重要意义。长期以来,侧重于动作的外显行为或部分神经活动研究,忽视从技能习得角度阐释其神经生理机制。以神经结构和功能的现有知识为基础,以动作技能学习过程为主线,梳理动作技能学习的神经生理机制,认为：大脑皮层是动作学习和控制中心,参与运动学习的不同方面。各皮层区域激发都取决于任务的特征,以确定运动的方向、计划以及最终执行。小脑主要做出时间节律调整、反馈和动作记忆的作用。皮质—基底节和皮质—小脑回路是空间和动作信息获取的关键,同时具有对动作进行反馈调整的作用。     

Motor expertise interacts with physical enactment to enhance action memory

Previous research on action memory showed the advantage for performing the action in memorising the action phrases. We tested if performing the action would help participants with or without motor expertise to memorise the novel action poses. Thirty novel action poses performed by an expert were photographed to constitute memory and interference stimuli. Eighty college students observed to remember the randomly displayed stimuli; however, half were asked to perform the displayed stimuli. Both free-recall and recognition tests were administered immediately and 24 h after the memory task. The results showed that acting was better than observing for memorising the novel action poses, which not only promoted the absolute retention but also alleviated the retention loss caused by interference. Motor expertise enhanced the overall memory performance by promoting a deeper motor encoding. Based on our results, novices should act with (rather than just observe) the model to learn novel motor skills.     

The effect of consistent and varied follow-through practice schedules on learning a table tennis backhand

In table tennis the follow-through action after a shot is an important part of skill execution. In this experiment, we aimed to extend literature around the contextual interference effect by investigating whether the way the follow-through is organised in practice affects learning of the backhand shot in table tennis. Thirty unskilled participants were allocated to blocked-variable practice, random-variable practice or a control-constant group and aimed backhand shots towards a target following ball projection from a machine. Each group completed these shots in a pre-test, a training phase with follow-through manipulations, a post-test, and a retention test. The random-variable group improved their shot accuracy from pre-test to post-test and from pre-test to retention test (both P < 0.01, d = 1.03), whereas neither the blocked-variable nor the control-constant group displayed any change in shot accuracy. Practising the follow-through in a random-variable fashion enhanced learning of the preceding shot compared with blocked-variable practice or no follow-through instructions. The benefits of learning motor skills under conditions of high contextual interference also apply to how follow-through actions are organised. The findings are valuable to coaches and suggest that instructions related to the follow-through action should be considered as well as the primary skill itself.     

传统武术意识与散打训练相结合的理论研究

散打作为中国传统武术中的一部分,是把武术中最直接、最简捷的招法提炼出来,以求快速击中、击倒或摔倒对手。在遵循散打训练基本规律的基础上,把传统武术意识运用到一般武术散打训练中,针对视觉、听觉表象采取多种训练手段,激发运动员的潜在意识,使对抗具有明确的目的性,可以提高散打运动员技术水平,促进运动技能的成熟。     

Visually and acoustically augmented performance feedback as an aid in motor control learning: a study of selected components of the rowing action

The present work compares the efficiency of two training techniques as aids to learning selected aspects of a sequentially ordered action such as that of rowing. Subjects in one group were trained with a conventional learning technique (CLT) while those in a second group were trained by an augmented feedback technique referred to as external feedback (EFB). Progress was recorded on learning curves. Rowing athletes with limited experience and psychophysiology students were used for the study. The tasks consisted of learning movement timing (rhythmicity of action and coordination of body parts) and movement intensity (force and electromyogram development), in four separate experiments. The learning curves for EFB subjects were found to have significantly and consistently higher slopes than those for CLT subjects. Optimal criteria were reached by EBF subjects, after a continuous increase in performance levels and a concomitant decrease in standard deviations evaluated from periodicity, movement accuracy and force. Subjects, who after 8 to 10 sessions of CLT learning had not reached optimal level, were exposed to EFB. Their performances then showed a marked improvement and attained the required criterion in 2 to 4 sessions. This further demonstrates the efficacy of EFB as compared with CLT, as an aid to learning a complex sensorimotor action. The efficacy of EFB as a learning technique is discussed in relation to the internal model of the task to be executed and to sensory motor control and motor programmes.     

Schema theory (1975): retrospectives and prospectives

A brief commentary is provided on the theoretical assumptions, scholarly impact and continuing influence of the schema theory of motor learning (Schmidt, 1975). The traditional contrasts of schema theory to the coordinative structure or dynamical systems framework are reemphasized, and limitations of the variability of practice experiments noted. A central problem for theories of motor learning is change over time, the basis on which learning is typically defined. Most theories including schema have, however, undervalued the importance of the time-dependent nature of change in deference to the almost exclusive study of the amount of some averaged change in behavioral outcome. The persistent and transitory change(s) in movement and outcome that are observed in action are reflections of multiple time scales of change in a dynamical system.     

元认知学习策略对网球运动技能学习影响的实验研究

运用文献资料法、专家访谈法、问卷调查法、实验法等,对元认知学习策略对网球运动能力的影响作了初步研究．结果表明：（1）在网球教学中通过元认知学习策略的训练,可以提高大学生元认知意识水平;（2）元认知学习策略使用频度与网球运动能力水平呈显著正相关;（3）多元回归分析结果显示元认知策略中事先计划类、自我监控类、自我评价类三类策略对网球运动能力都具有一定的影响,因此教师在教学中要有意识地加强各类元认知策略的训练,不可忽略某一方面。     

Association of physical fitness and fatness with cognitive function in women with fibromyalgia

This study assessed the association of fitness and fatness with cognitive function in women with fibromyalgia, and the independent influence of their single components on cognitive tasks. A total of 468 women with fibromyalgia were included. Speed of information processing and working memory (Paced Auditory Serial Addition Task), as well as immediate and delayed recall, verbal learning and delayed recognition (Rey Auditory Verbal Learning Test) were assessed. Aerobic fitness, muscle strength, flexibility and motor agility were assessed with the Senior Fitness Test battery. Body mass index, percent body fat, fat-mass index and waist circumference were measured. Aerobic fitness was associated with attention and working memory (all, p < 0.05). All fitness components were generally associated with delayed recall, verbal learning and delayed recognition (all, p < 0.05). Aerobic fitness showed the most powerful association with attention, working memory, delayed recall and verbal learning, while motor agility was the most powerful indicator of delayed recognition. None of the fatness parameters were associated with any of the outcomes (all, p > 0.05). Our results suggest that fitness, but not fatness, is associated with cognitive function in women with fibromyalgia. Aerobic fitness appears to be the most powerful fitness component regarding the cognitive tasks evaluated.