University:
University of North Carolina Wilmington
Course:
PSY 105 | General Psychology
Academic year:

2023
Views:

257

Pages:

2
Author:

Jithin J I

ENHANCING MOTOR LEARNING THROUGH PRACTICE VARIABILITY I. Introduction  Practice variability involves changing aspects of practice to enhance motor learning.  Different theories and methods emphasize the benefits of variability in motor skill acquisition. II. Schema Theory: Parameter Variability  Schema Theory (Schmidt, 1975): Higher parameter variability during practice leads to better development of motor schemas.  Motor schema involves the goal-adequate use of movement parameters.  Monotonous practice may limit schema development. III. Contextual Interference Hypothesis  Contextual Interference Hypothesis (Shea & Morgan, 1979): Frequent changes between different motor programs or parameters enhance learning.  Changing tasks in serial or randomized order impacts learning.  Adapted to the expertise level for optimal challenge (optimal-challenge-point theory; Guadagnoli & Lee, 2004). Explanations for Contextual Interference Effect  Motivational Hypothesis: Frequent task switching reduces monotony.  Elaboration Hypothesis: Enhanced information processing as tasks relate to each other.  Reconstruction Hypothesis: Repeated reconstruction of action plans leads to better recall and long-term memory formation. IV. Bilateral Practice and Dynamic Dominance Hypothesis  Bilateral practice involves changing sides of the body for skill execution.  Beneficial for sports where both sides are used (e.g., basketball dribbling).  Frequent lateral side changes contribute to contextual interference effects.  "Dynamic Dominance Hypothesis" (Sainburg, 2002) explains specialized brain hemisphere involvement. Sequential Effects and Hemisphere Specialization  Involve the side of the body that activates the specialized hemisphere for task aspects (left hemisphere = temporal-sequencing; right hemisphere = spatial orientation). V. Differential Learning  Differential Learning (Schöllhorn et al., 2014): Emphasizes fluctuations in execution during practice.  Increase variability in execution variables from trial to trial.  Self-organization processes help find optimal solutions within the solution space.  Critically discussed in literature (Künzell & Hossner, 2012; Schöllhorn et al., 2013). VI. Considerations for Effective Practice Schedules  Systematic distribution of practice and practice interruptions (distributed practice) benefit learning.  Part practice reduces informational overload in complex skills if practiced elements have low organization.  Variable practice of execution parameters, frequent task changes (contextual interference), and bilateral practice contribute to long-term learning enhancement. Key Takeaways  Varied practice enhances motor learning by promoting schema development, contextual interference effects, and bilateral skill acquisition.  Differential learning introduces variability from trial to trial to encourage selforganization processes for optimal solutions.  Effective practice schedules should consider the balance between variability and skill complexity for optimal learning.