Motor Learning: Introduction PDF

Motor Learning: Introduction KINS 2211 – Human Motor Behaviour Chapter 8 Learning Outcomes After this lecture, students should be able to: 1. Define the concept of motor learning and describe the key characteristics 2. Contrast the difference between motor l...

Motor Learning: Introduction KINS 2211 – Human Motor Behaviour Chapter 8 Learning Outcomes After this lecture, students should be able to: 1. Define the concept of motor learning and describe the key characteristics 2. Contrast the difference between motor learning and motor performance 3. Explain the concept of performance curves and their limitations 4. Describe the law of practice as it relates to motor learning Motor Learning Defined Definition: – Motor learning is a set of internal processes associated with practice or experience leading to a relatively permanent gain in the capability for skilled performance This definition is made up of 4 separate characteristics Motor Learning Defined 1. Learning is internal and not directly observable 2. Learning results from practice or experience 3. Learning produces relatively permanent changes 4. Learning affects capabilities Learning vs. Performance Performance Learning – Observable – Not directly behaviour observable – Unstable – Persistent change Performance Learning Variables Variables – affect performance – affect performance not and learning learning General Performance Characteristics & Learning What should happen to performance to imply that learning has occurred? 1. Improvement 2. Consistency 3. Persistence 4. Adaptability How Do We Measure Learning? Performance Curves – Measures acquisition = Practice of a skill – Can observe improvement & consistency – note improvement depends on what is being measured  Types of Performance Curves 1. Linear Curve 2. Negatively Accelerated Curve Performance outcome Performance outcome Time or trials Time or trials  Types of Performance Curves 3. Positively Accelerated Curve 4. Sigmoid (“S”) Curve Performance Performance Outcome outcome Time or trials Time or trial  Law of Practice Large and rapid changes at first Logarithmic relationship T = a / Pb Negatively accelerated practice curve The Performance Curve Performance curves are NOT learning curves Performance curves are affected by: – Plateaus – Within Subject Variability – Between Subject Variability – Measurement Sensitivity Ceiling effects Measurement Sensitivity Measurement of performance has a large impact on conclusions regarding learning Summary of Performance Curves Acquisition examines improvement & consistency of performance However, does practice performance represent true learning? What about persistence & adaptability?