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.
© Copyright 2011 Research Quarterly for Exercise and Sport. American Alliance for Health, Physical Education, Recreation and Dance (AAHPERD). All rights reserved.

Bibliographic Details
Subjects:
Notations:training science
Published in:Research Quarterly for Exercise and Sport
Language:English
Published: 2011
Online Access:http://www.ingentaconnect.com/content/aahperd/rqes/2011/00000082/00000003/art00013
Volume:82
Issue:3
Document types:article
Level:advanced