Mount Royal University PHYL 4518 Motor Learning F2024 Lecture

PHYL 4518 Motor Learning F2024 – Wk 13 Zoe Chan, PhD [email protected]  Understand the characteristics of discovery learning, constraints-led learning, and deliberate practice. Understand each of the f...

PHYL 4518 Motor Learning F2024 – Wk 13 Zoe Chan, PhD [email protected]  Understand the characteristics of discovery learning, constraints-led learning, and deliberate practice. Understand each of the five essential features of effective practice and how to implement each feature from an instructional standpoint. Today’s learning objectives Theories and Styles of Practice 1. Constraints-led approaches and discovery learning Motor learning is a process of exploration Interaction of various constraints 2. Deliberate Practice Development of expert performance  Practice: Constraints-led approaches Factors unique to the individual - Stature - Strength - Cognitive resources - Perceptual-motor abilities Specific to the activity - Dimension of tools Physical realities of the world (e.g., size and weight - Gravity of bat, balls, stick etc.) - Playing surface - Game rules - Weather Factors that influence what movement can be executed and how it can be executed Practice: Constraints-led approaches Jump or climb? 1.2 m Practice: Constraints-led approaches Constraints-led approach: Instructor manipulates constraints Learner discover how to interact and ‘solve’ each constraint Leads to discovery learning Example of constraints: A rule (play on small field) An outcome goal (score in top corner) Equipment (use small ball) Constraints are introduced to give the learner an opportunity to creatively overcome game-like challenges, to discover and develop effective movement and motor skills. Practice: Constraints-led approaches Discovery learning and exploration Individual uses trial and error Instructor’s role: No prescriptive instructions/precise modelling Lead learner through progression of problems Limited feedback  Practice: Constraints-led approaches Goal: increase batter’s launch angle 3 different strategies: Internal focus of attention instructions External focus of attention instructions Constraints-led approach “Move your arms at an upward angle” Prescriptive “Contact the bottom half of the ball” instructions Simulated barrier + “Try to hit over the barrier” Gray 2018 Comparing Cueing and Constraints Interventions for Increasing Launch Angle in Baseball Batting Practice: Constraints-led approaches Constraints-led: -more adjustments -more exploration -better outcome Practice: Deliberate practice Deliberate Practice High levels of motivation and effort. Activities based on knowledge and characteristics of the performer. Immediate and continual feedback. Abundant repetition. Intent to improve. High level performance: ~10 years or 10,000 hours of deliberate practice  Practice: Deliberate practice Time and effort of deliberate practice must be balanced with potential for dropout Dropout more likely with: Less fun Early specialization Year-round off-field training for Younger athletes (6-13) fitness (not enjoyable) Low value of activity Perceived competence Older athletes (14+) Teammate interactions Climate set by coaches and parents Five essential characteristics of effective practice 1. A specific intention to improve and master the skill. 2. A strong motivation and effort. 3. Individual-based practice and learner input into practice. 4. Effective communication and information. 5. Overlearning with variation. Five essential characteristics of effective practice 1. A specific intention to improve and master the skill Intention leads to purposeful practice. Mastery goals increase learning outcomes, provide for more flexible and adaptive behaviours, and improve motivation. This may lead to greater persistence following failure, greater self-efficacy, more effort, and a greater likelihood of taking on challenging tasks. Intention and mastery lead to better practice organization, more effective use of practice time. Five essential characteristics of effective practice 2. A strong motivation and effort. Motivation leads to high mental effort, and high mental effort leads to high physiological effort. Both mental effort and physical effort are necessary for maximal motor skill and physiological improvement. Effort must be directed toward specific goals and not simply working hard. Intentionality and learner self-control over aspects of the learning process contribute to motivation. Five essential characteristics of effective practice 3. Individual-based practice and learner input to the practice environment Practices should be designed around individual or team needs and based on the individual/team knowledge, experience, skill level, strengths and weaknesses. Learners should have some control over the learning process to increase motivation, meaningfulness and information retention. Five essential characteristics of effective practice 3. Individual-based practice and learner input to the practice environment Practice is more effective when the learner has some control over the practice environment: Schedules What is practiced Feedback and instruction (when and how) Learner input: Empowers the learner Provides motivation and meaning Leads to better retention and learning Constraints-based learning, set-up by coaches, can emphasize implicit learning with an external focus of attention. Five essential characteristics of effective practice 4. Effective communication and information Communication in the form of instructions and feedback transmit knowledge, fosters trust, encourages, and motivates. Instructions and feedback should be intentional and lead the learner to problem-solving and self- discovery of better movement solutions. Too much prescriptive instruction/feedback can lead to reliance on the feedback and inhibit problem-solving. Five essential characteristics of effective practice 5. Overlearning with variation Practice should be aimed at learning the skill beyond a point of automaticity. Many repetitions are necessary to do this, but repetitions should vary to improve problem solving and movement flexibility to be adaptable to different situations. Practice variation forces more cognitive involvement and better learning.