Maximizing Performance Feedback Effectiveness through Videotape Replay and a Self-Controlled Learning Environment

This study was designed to examine whether participants who could control the schedule of performance feedback (KP) would learn differentially from those who received a rigid feedback schedule while learning a complex task. Participants (N = 48) were randomly assigned to self-controlled KP (SELF), summary KP (SUMMARY), yoked control (YOKE), or knowledge of results only (KR) conditions. Data collection consisted of an acquisition phase and a 4-day retention phase during which right-handed participants performed a left-handed ball throw. Overall, throwing form improved across trial blocks during acquisition, with the SUMMARY, SELF, and YOKE groups showing more improvement than the KR group. During retention, the SELF group retained a higher level of throwing form and accuracy in comparison to the other groups. Results suggest that when given the opportunity to control the feedback environment, learners require relatively less feedback to acquire skills and retain those skills at a level equivalent to or surpassing those who are given more feedback but receive it passively.     

Beating the bunker: the effect of PETTLEP imagery on golf bunker shot performance

The aim of this study was to compare the effects of physical practice with PETTLEP-based (Physical, Environment, Task, Timing, Learning, Emotion and Perspective; Holmes & Collins, 2001) imagery and PETTLEP + physical practice interventions on golf bunker shot performance. Thirty-two male county- or international-level golfers were assigned to one of four groups; PETTLEP imagery, physical practice, PETTLEP + physical practice, or control. The PETTLEP imagery group imaged 15 bunker shots, their interventions incorporating PETTLEP components, such as physical, environment, and emotion, twice a week. The physical practice group physically performed their 15 bunker shots twice per week; the PETTLEP + physical practice group performed PETTLEP imagery once per week and physical practice once per week. Each group performed their respective tasks for 6 weeks. Pre- and posttests consisted of 15 bunker shots, with points awarded according to the ball proximity to the pin. All groups improved significantly (p < .01) from pre- to posttest, and the PETTLEP + physical practice group improved more (p < .05) than the PETTLEP and physical practice groups. However, there was no significant difference between the physical practice and PETTLEP groups (p > .05). Findings, therefore, support the effectiveness of PETTLEP in enhancing golf performance, especially when combined with physical practice.     

The 1980 C. H. McCloy Research Lecture: Psychophysiology of Self-Awareness during Vigorous Physical Activity

The aim of this study was to compare the effects of physical practice with PETTLEP-based (Physical, Environment, Task, Timing, Learning, Emotion and Perspective; Holmes &; Collins, 2001) imagery and PETTLEP + physical practice interventions on golf bunker shot performance. Thirty-two male county- or international-level golfers were assigned to one of four groups; PETTLEP imagery, physical practice, PETTLEP + physical practice, or control. The PETTLEP imagery group imaged 15 bunker shots, their interventions incorporating PETTLEP components, such as physical, environment, and emotion, twice a week. The physical practice group physically performed their 15 bunker shots twice per week; the PETTLEP + physical practice group performed PETTLEP imagery once per week and physical practice once per week. Each group performed their respective tasks for 6 weeks. Pre- and posttests consisted of 15 bunker shots, with points awarded according to the ball proximity to the pin. All groups improved significantly (p < .01) from pre- to posttest, and the PETTLEP + physical practice group improved more (p < .05) than the PETTLEP and physical practice groups. However, there was no significant difference between the physical practice and PETTLEP groups (p > .05). Findings, therefore, support the effectiveness of PETTLEP in enhancing golf performance, especially when combined with physical practice.     

A New Motor Learning Task: The Foot-Twist Tracking Task

Abstract

Sixty college men were tested on a new motor learning task: the foot-twist tracking task. They were given 35 one-min. trials; each consisted of 30 sec. of work followed by 30 sec. of rest. A 5-min. rest period was interpolated between trials 25 and 26 to allow for the dissipation of reactive inhibition accrued during prerest performance. The results supported the expectation that practice on the new task would result in significant amounts of learning. However, the improvement in performance, while fairly large (21%), is substantially less than that found on the pursuit rotor and other large muscle motor coordination tasks. The expectation of reliable learning scores is also supported by the present results (r = .77). This learning reliability is relatively high when compared with those obtained on other large muscle motor learning tasks.     

Trends in Selected Kinematic and Myoelectric Variables Associated with Learning a Novel Motor Task

Abstract

Cinematographic and electromyographic methods were used to coordinate the collection of kinematic and myoelectric data on 41 male subjects. The novel motor task consisted of propelling a four-wheeled carriage along a level aluminum track to a criterion velocity by a knee extension movement. Mean performance scores demonstrated that a significant amount of learning took place over 21 trials. The finding of learning over practice provided a basis by which changes in the kinematic and myoelectric variables were analyzed. Statistical analysis consisted of a One-Sample Hotelling's T² Test and Trend Analysis using a Multiple Regression Program. Data were collected on trials 1, 2, 6, 15, and 21. Results revealed that: (1) both knee joint and ankle joint angular velocities at release followed the same trend as performance scores; (2) two myotemporal variables had no significant trends on the four muscles under investigation; and (3) two knee flexors had linear trends and two knee extensors had cubic trends on the variable maximum integrated electromyographic (Iemg) amplitude. It was concluded that: (1) trends of joint angular velocities over practice more closely resembled the performance score trends than did myoelectric activity; (2) when myotemporal changes are not evident over practice, changes in maximum Iemg amplitude of muscles are responsible for increasing performance proficiency; and (3) if performance demands an increase in joint angular velocity, agonistic as well as antagonistic myoelectric activity will increase in muscles which act at the joint.     

The learning advantages of an external focus of attention in golf.

This study examined whether the learning advantages of an external focus of attention relative to an internal focus, as demonstrated by Wulf, H?ss, and Prinz (1998), would also be found for a sport skill under field-like conditions. Participants (9 women, 13 men; age range: 21-29 years) without experience in golf were required to practice pitch shots. The practice phase consisted of 80 practice trials. One group was instructed to focus on the arm swing (internal focus), whereas another group was instructed to focus on the club swing (external focus). One day after practice, a retention test of 30 trials without instructions was performed. The external-focus condition was more effective for performance during both practice and retention.     

Self-controlled feedback is effective if it is based on the learner's performance

The study follows up on the contention that self-controlled feedback schedules benefit learning because they are more tailored to the performers' needs than externally controlled feedback schedules (Chiviacowsky & Wulf, 2002). Under this assumption, one would expect learning advantages for individuals who decide whether they want to receive feedback after a trial rather than before a trial. Participants practiced a sequential timing task, and all could decide the trials on which they received feedback. One group ("self-after") decided after every trial whether they wanted to receive feedback for that trial while another group ("self-before") made that decision before each trial The self-after group showed learning benefits on a delayed transfer test (novel absolute timing requirements) with regard to overall timing and relative-timing accuracy. Thus, self-controlled feedback was more effective when the learner could make a decision about receiving feedback after the trial. This seems to support the view that self-controlled feedback benefits learning, because learners can make a decision about feedback based on their performance on a given trial.     

Effects of self-modeling on figure skating jump performance and psychological variables

Abstract

This study investigated whether self-modeling plus physical practice would improve intermediate level figure skaters’ jump performance, as well as their self-efficacy, motivation, and state anxiety, when compared to physical practice alone. Twelve female figure skaters (M=13.4 years of age, SD=1.4) participated in a within-participant design where they received a self-modeling intervention for one jump and a control condition for another jump. They were also compared with a separate control group of 7 skaters (M=14.2 years of age, SD=2.35) who received no intervention. We hypothesized that skaters would show greater improvement in physical and psychological performance scores for jumps in the self-modeling condition than for jumps in the control conditions. We also hypothesized that increased self-efficacy and motivation and decreased state anxiety would mediate the relationship between self-modeling and physical performance. Counter to our predictions, no differences existed between the two conditions for the self-modeling group or between the self-modeling group and the control group. Despite the lack of statistical support for our hypotheses, skaters’ evaluation of the intervention was very positive and suggests possible explanations for the results.     

Efficiency of Motor Learning as a Function of Intertrial Rest

Abstract

The efficiency of two practice schedules was examined on two large muscle motor tasks. There were four groups of subjects (N = 160); each individual in a group performed on one of the two motor tasks under one of the two conditions. Distributed practice consisted of alternating 30-second trials of practice and rest; massed practice was continuous for 8 minutes. Comparisons made during the last minute of practice prior to the rest pause revealed that the massed groups had significant decrements in performance level. In contrast, after the rest period, when both groups were on a distributed schedule, no difference was found in the amount of learning. Learning was found to be a function of the number of trials and independent of the conditions of practice.     

Self-controlled amount of practice benefits learning of a motor skill

Self-control over factors involving task-related information (e.g, feedback) can enhance motor learning. It is unknown if these benefits extend to manipulations that do not directly affect such information. The purpose of this study was to determine if self-control over the amount of practice would also facilitate learning Participants learned to throw a dart using their nonpreferred hand. The self-control (SC) group decided when to stop practice. The yoked group completed the same number of trials as their SC counterparts. Results revealed the SC group was more accurate during transfer and in recalling the number of trials completed. These findings indicate that self-control benefits extend to factors that do not directly alter task-related information.     

The role of parameter variability on retention, parameter transfer, and effector transfer

The purpose of this study was to examine the effects of parameter variability on the learning of generalized motor programs (GMP) and movement parameterization. Participants attempted to exert a force pattern that resembled in force and time a waveform displayed on a computer monitor.The analysis suggested that relative timing (a measure of the GMP) performance remained remarkably stable across retention and transfer tests, whereby the structure of the movement remained intact, although the parameter or muscle group (effector) changed during transfer The results also indicated that variable parameter (time) practice did not enhance GMP learning but did degrade the learning parameter that was not varied (force). In addition, parameter specification was substantially less stable than the GMP, with time and force parameter performance deteriorating from the retention to transfer tests. These findings suggest that parameter specification, and not the GMP, is the primary cause of poorer performance in parameter and effector transfer.     

双任务中内隐运动技能学习对提高保持成绩的作用

本实验研究的目的是,调查在双任务条件下一个运动系列能否被不觉察地掌握,内隐学习是否比外显学习更有效地增加保持.36名实验对象被随机分为内隐学习组或外显学习组.要求所有被试通过敲击一个键盘上的F和J键,来移动计算机屏幕上的横杆,去接住一个下落的小球.一个固定的5种小球下落曲线的系列被安插在每组15次练习的中段.同时,实验参加者需要数每组练习中的所听到的嘟嘟声的数目,以作为第二项任务.在掌握该技能后的24小时进行3次保持测验.ANOVA分析发现固定小球下落曲线段的接球成绩随着练习的增加而提高,但是练习对随机段没有作用.尽管两种练习条件下,运动技能学习成绩没有差异,但内隐学习组比外显学习组在模拟接球的保持测试和第二项任务中表现较准确.这些结果显示内隐学习是一个改善运动技能长期记忆的有效手段,并且与外显学习相比,它在练习中占用较少的认知资源.     

A rule induction framework for the determination of representative learning design in skilled performance

Representative learning design provides a framework for the extent to which practice simulates key elements of a performance setting. Improving both the measurement and analysis of representative learning design would allow for the refinement of sports training environments that seek to replicate competition conditions and provide additional context to the evaluation of athlete performance. Using rule induction, this study aimed to develop working models for the determination of high frequency, representative events in Australian Rules football kicking. A sample of 9005 kicks from the 2015 Australian Football League season were categorised and analysed according to the following constraints: type of pressure, kick distance, possession source, time in possession, velocity and kick target. The Apriori algorithm was used to develop two models. The first consisted of 10 rules containing the most commonly occurring constraint sets occurring during the kick in AF, with support values ranging from 0.15 to 0.22. None of the rules contained more than three constraints and confidence values ranged from 0.63 to 0.84. The second model considered ineffective and effective kick outcomes and displayed 70% classification accuracy. This research provides a measurement approach to determine the degree of representativeness of sports practice and is directly applicable to various team sports.     

Self-Controlled Amount of Practice Benefits Learning of a Motor Skill

Abstract

Self-control over factors involving task-related information (e.g., feedback) can enhance motor learning. It is unknown if these benefits extend to manipulations that do not directly affect such information. The purpose of this study was to determine if self-control over the amount of practice would also facilitate learning. Participants learned to throw a dart using their nonpreferred hand. The self-control (SC) group decided when to stop practice. The yoked group completed the same number of trials as their SC counterparts. Results revealed the SC group was more accurate during transfer and in recalling the number of trials completed. These findings indicate that self-control benefits extend to factors that do not directly alter task-related information.     

Distribution of practice and metacognition in learning and long-term retention of a discrete motor task

This study examined judgments of learning and the long-term retention of a discrete motor task (golf putting) as a function of practice distribution. The results indicated that participants in the distributed practice group performed more proficiently than those in the massed practice group during both acquisition and retention phases. No significant differences in retention performance were found as a function of three retention intervals (1, 7, and 28 days). Echoing actual acquisition scores, participants in the distributed practice group predicted more proficient retention performance than did those in the massed practice group. Although all participants predicted more proficient performance than was actually achieved, the difference between predicted and actual performance failed to reach significance.     

Age-related differences in vision and proprioception in a lower limb interceptive task: the effects of skill level and practice

This study examined age-related differences in the role of visual proprioception during a lower limb interceptive action and how this varies as a function of skill and practice. In Experiment 1, skilled and less-skilled 8-, 10-, and 12-year-old boys controlled a soccer ball using their preferred foot under full vision and when sight of the effector was occluded. With the exception of the high-skilled 12-year-olds and low-skilled 8-year-olds, participants showed a decrement in peformance when denied access to visual proprioception. In Experiment 2, the effect of practicing under different informational constraints was examined for 12 year-old boys. Children performed varying amounts of practice under full vision, or in a condition where sight of the foot was occluded, before being transferred to the alternative viewing condition. Participants who practiced under occluded viewing conditions showed greater relative improvement in performance over practice and transfer sessions compared with a full vision control group. Some support is provided for the manipulation of visual informational constraints as an effective pedagogical approach to motor learning.     

Systematically increasing contextual interference is beneficial for learning sport skills

Abstract

To better understand the contextual interference effect, in two experiments we investigated a form of practice schedule that provided novices with systematic increases in contextual interference. This new type of practice schedule was compared with traditional blocked and random scheduling for two types of sports skills. In Experiment 1, we tested the hypothesis that practising variations of the same task with systematic increases in contextual interference would lead to superior performance compared with blocked or random scheduling. Participants practised golf putting tasks following a blocked, random or increasing schedule, which involved initial blocked trials, followed by serial practice trials, and ended with random scheduling. Participants who followed the increasing schedule had superior retention test performance. In Experiment 2, we tested if these learning benefits were observed when learning tasks controlled by different generalized motor programs. Participants practised three different basketball passes (chest, overhead, single arm) in a blocked, random or increasing schedule. Participants practising with gradual increases in contextual interference performed better on retention and transfer tests than participants practising with blocked or random scheduling. The results of these two experiments indicate that a practice schedule offering systematic increases in contextual interference facilitates skill learning.     

“Best” versus “Average” Individual Scores

Abstract

The present study was undertaken to determine if the presence of spectators when learning a complex motor task affected the performance of high- and low-anxious subjects. Forty-eight high- and 48 low-anxious subjects learned a coincident timing task alone or in the presence of an audience. Once the task was learned to a criterion, subjects performed 10 trials alone or in the presence of an audience. Palmar sweat gland activity was measured by counting the number of active sweat glands from a plastic mold. Absolute error found the mode of learning had no effect on performance. Absolute error intravariance, however, indicated that subjects who learned the task in the presence of an audience performed less consistently alone than subjects who performed in the presence of an audience. The anxiety level of the subject did not interact with the performance. Palmar sweat gland results showed increased arousal when in the presence of an audience.     

Self-controlled learning benefits: exploring contributions of self-efficacy and intrinsic motivation via path analysis

Research has shown learning advantages for self-controlled practice contexts relative to yoked (i.e., experimenter-imposed) contexts; yet, explanations for this phenomenon remain relatively untested. We examined, via path analysis, whether self-efficacy and intrinsic motivation are important constructs for explaining self-controlled learning benefits. The path model was created using theory-based and empirically supported relationships to examine causal links between these psychological constructs and physical performance. We hypothesised that self-efficacy and intrinsic motivation would have greater predictive power for learning under self-controlled compared to yoked conditions. Participants learned double-mini trampoline progressions, and measures of physical performance, self-efficacy and intrinsic motivation were collected over two practice days and a delayed retention day. The self-controlled group (M = 2.04, SD = .98) completed significantly more skill progressions in retention than their yoked counterparts (M = 1.3, SD = .65). The path model displayed adequate fit, and similar significant path coefficients were found for both groups wherein each variable was predominantly predicted by its preceding time point (e.g., self-efficacy time 1 predicts self-efficacy time 2). Interestingly, the model was not moderated by group; thus, failing to support the hypothesis that self-efficacy and intrinsic motivation have greater predictive power for learning under self-controlled relative to yoked conditions.     

Publicizing Female Athletes' Weights: Implications for Female Psychology Undergraduates Acting as Spectators

Abstract

This investigation was conducted in order to determine if there were differences in the degree to which accuracy in throwing with the nonpreferred hand was developed when practice with projectiles of varying weights was used during the learning period. The effects of transfer of learning from the throwing of a ball of one weight to performance with a ball of another weight was also studied. The result indicated that practice with a light ball was as effective as practice with a heavier ball in developing skill to throw a heavier ball. Practice with the heavier ball when transferred to the lighter ball did not demonstrate a corresponding effect.