The development of performance, such as learning a new motor skill, can be represented in a performance curve. The shape of the performance curve is both of theoretical and practical relevance. Here, the author studied the interday performance of juggling over a period of 17 days in 112 college students. The results showed that 60% of participants…

In the learning support for repetitive motions having an operating instrument, it is necessary for learners to control not only their own body motions but also an instrument corresponding to the body. This study focuses on the repetitive motion learning using single operation instrument without the movement in space; i.e. jump-rope and hula-hoop.…

Individuals experience less interference from conflicting information following events that contain conflicting information. Recently, Jimenez, Lupianez, and Vaquero (2009) demonstrated that such adaptations to conflict occur even when the source of conflict arises from implicit knowledge of sequences. There is accumulating evidence that momentary…

Autonomously developing organisms face several challenges when learning reaching movements. First, motor control is learned unsupervised or self-supervised. Second, knowledge of sensorimotor contingencies is acquired in contexts in which action consequences unfold in time. Third, motor redundancies must be resolved. To solve all 3 of these…

Comparison of performance between subjects who practice transcendental meditation and those who do not revealed that meditation does not improve fine motor skills although it has many other benefits. (JD)

Discusses the renaissance of motor skill acquisition studies that are affording new insights into the processes by which infants and children learn to control their bodies. The article explains how studies are now focusing less on how children perform and more on how the components cooperate to produce stability or engender change, thus making…

Use of a retention test in an investigation regarding the post-knowledge of results (KR) interval provides evidence suggesting that, while activity during the post-KR interval is detrimental to performance, no such assumption can be made about its effect on learning. Implications for motor learning and performance are discussed. (Author/PP)

This paper suggests: (1) how to increase the amount of practice that an athlete can work in during the day; and (2) ways to enhance practice for maximum performance gains. Research information about both physical and mental forms of practice are synthesized. (PP)

Discussed are Piaget's methods, his relation to other theories, and an overview of his theory. Described are the six stages of his sensorimotor period with a summary of imitation and play, and the concrete operations period with the subperiods of changes from sensorimotor in preoperation, differences from the adult in preoperation, and the…

This study continues the investigation of the general organizational plan used by good motor learners in acquiring a complex motor skill (tennis serve). The General Serve Problem Solving Model (GSPS), developed in earlier research, was utilized in an effort to improve and broaden it so that other types of learners may be studied and compared. Six…

This curriculum is designed primarily for use in individualized classrooms where the teacher is working with an assistant, but it has also been proven effective in traditional classrooms and in remedial situations. Program 3 focuses on a variety of gross-and fine-motor functions--basic abilities that affect the way the child physically interacts…

Aspects of information feedback and practice conditions were studied to gain insight into processes underlying the observational learning of motor skills. A major purpose was to test whether subjects observing a practice variability strategy would perform better than those observing a model practicing under constant conditions. (Authors/PP)

The effects of practice on the bilateral transfer of complex dance movement patterns were studied by having subjects learn two sequences under eight different conditions. Results indicate that teachers have been correct in expecting students to transfer movements bilaterally (from one side to the other) but should teach to the nonpreferred side.…

The materials, methods, and mechanisms that underlie the learning and performance of motor skills are explored. This booklet focuses on concepts which can be used to enhance student learning and performance in physical education. The chapters consider such questions as, "What types of skills will I learn?", "Should I practice different skills in…