The effects of the combination of constant and variable practice in the acquisition of a motor skill

Authors

  • Rejane Paroli Universidade de São Paulo; Escola de Educação Física e Esporte
  • Go Tani Universidade de São Paulo; Escola de Educação Física e Esporte

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.1590/S1807-55092009000300004

Keywords:

Practice schedule, Motor skill acquisition, Adaptative process

Abstract

The effects of different practice schedules in the adaptive process of motor skill acquisition were investigated in an experiment involving different regimes of the variable practice. The experimental design consisted of two combined practice groups (constant-block and constant-random) and two learning phases (stabilization and adaptation). Sixty undergraduate students performed a task that consisted of touching response keys sequentially in integration with a visual stimulus. A coincident timing apparatus combined with a serial response device was used. The overall performance was evaluated using three measures: absolute error, variable error and number of correct trials. The relative timing and its variability were used to assess the macrostructure of the action program of the skill while its microstructure was evaluated by absolute movement time and its variability. The variable practice was manipulated both in terms of the visual stimulus velocities and the response patterns. The results showed a better performance for the constant-block practice group in the number of sequence errors in the adaptation phase. Overall results showed a superiority of constant-block practice group relative to the adaptation to the new task.

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Published

2009-09-01

Issue

Section

naodefinida

How to Cite

Paroli, R., & Tani, G. (2009). The effects of the combination of constant and variable practice in the acquisition of a motor skill . Brazilian Journal of Physical Education and Sport, 23(3), 221-234. https://doi.org/10.1590/S1807-55092009000300004