Title
Practice Variability Promotes an External Focus of Attention and Enhances Motor Skill Learning
Document Type
Article
Publication Date
3-1-2019
Publication Title
Human Movement Science
Publisher
Elsevier
Volume
64
First page number:
307
Last page number:
319
Abstract
Variability in practice has been shown to enhance motor skill learning. Benefits of practice variability have been attributed to motor schema formation (variable versus constant practice), or more effortful information processing (random versus blocked practice). We hypothesized that, among other mechanisms, greater practice variability might promote an external focus of attention on the intended movement effect, while less variability would be more conducive to a less effective internal focus on body movements. In Experiment 1, the learning of a throwing task was enhanced by variable versus constant practice, and variable group participants reported focusing more on the distance to the target (external focus), while constant group participants focused more on their posture (internal focus). In Experiment 2, golf putting was learned more effectively with a random compared with a blocked practice schedule. Furthermore, random group learners reported using a more effective distal external focus (i.e., distance to the target) to a greater extent, whereas blocked group participants used a less effective proximal focus (i.e., putter) more often. While attentional focus was assessed through questionnaires in the first two experiments, learners in Experiment 3 were asked to report their current attentional focus at any time during practice. Again, the learning of a throwing task was more effective after random relative to blocked practice. Also, random practice learners reported using more external focus cues, while in blocked practice participants used more internal focus cues. The findings suggest that the attentional foci induced by different practice schedules might be at least partially responsible for the learning differences.
Keywords
Variable practice; Contextual interference; Attentional focus; Golf putting; Throwing
Disciplines
Educational Methods | Motor Control
File Format
File Size
391 KB
Language
English
Repository Citation
Chua, L.,
Dimapilis, M. K.,
Iwatsuki, T.,
Abdollahipour, R.,
Lewthwaite, R.,
Wulf, G.
(2019).
Practice Variability Promotes an External Focus of Attention and Enhances Motor Skill Learning.
Human Movement Science, 64
307-319.
Elsevier.
http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.humov.2019.02.015