This study evaluated performance curves related to the acquisition of a complex motor skill. Twenty-four novices participated in an ice-skating test over six months (47 training sessions). Qualitative and statistical analysis of the performance curves reveals accurate fitting results in 13 of the 24 cases; the children's performance also improved significantly in these 13 cases. By means of subjective analysis (7V=10 trainers), important confirmation for the existence of individual plateaus are found in about 40% to 50% of the subjects. Moreover, the performance curves of these subjects are analysed using a new mathematical method, the performance-gradient analysis, which was developed in this study. The number of performance plateaus determined by this method ranges between 23% and 62% depending on the requirements with respect to length and variability of plateaus. The results are discussed in relation to recent learning models with a view to future investigations.
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