Module 4 - Feedback and Practice

What does the Power Law of Practice state?

Rate of improvement is linearly related (on a logarithmic scale) to amount left to improve

Define Feedback

All sensory information available as result of movement

Define Intrinsic (inherent) feedback

Comes from individual’s own sensory systems due to movement itself, less available when sensory impairments are present

Define Extrinsic (augmented) feedback

Supplements intrinsic feedback from an external source

What is concurrent feedback

Feedback given during the movement

What is terminal feedback

Feedback given at the end of a task

Define Knowledge of Results (KR)

Terminal feedback about the outcome of movement in terms of movement goal

Define Knowledge of Performance (KP)

Terminal feedback related to movement pattern used to achieve the goal

When is the KR delay interval?

End of trial to KR given

When is the Post-KR delay interval?

End of KR given to next trial

What are the types of KR frequency?

Faded: More KR early in practice, gradual reduction later in practice

Summary: KR for each trial is given at end of block of trials

Constant - 100% of the time

What type of KR frequency results in better retention?

Faded KR and Summary KR

What are the different types of practice conditions?

Massed - Practice time in a trial is greater than rest time between trials (leads to fatigue)

Distributed - Rest time between trials is greater than/equal to time of a trial

Which type of practice condition shows better retention/growth?

Distributed practice

What is Constant practice?

Practice under a single set of conditions

What is Variable practice?

Practice under varying conditions

Between constant and variable, which type of practice leads to better performance on novel tasks?

Variable practice

Define Contextual Interference

Occurs when multiple skills are practiced within a single session

Define Random practice

Practice different tasks in a random order

Define Blocked Practice

Practice different tasks in a blocked order

Advantages of blocked practice

Better performance during acquisition

Advantages of random practice

Better performance at retention

Define Task Analysis

Identifying components of a skill and ordering them into a sequence

Whole vs Part practice

Practicing the entire task vs. breaking down task into intermediate steps and mastering each step before learning entire task

Guidance vs. Discovery practice

Learner is physically guided through the task vs. Learner has to go through trial and error

Is guidance or discovery practice better?

Unguided practice (discovery practice) is less effective for acquisition but more effective for retention and transfer of skills

Define Transfer

How well training transfers to new task or enviornment

What is mental practice?

Performing a skill in one’s imagination, with no action involved; physical practice is best, but mental practice can enhance learning when physical practice not possible

What is the Challenge Point Framework:

Used for optimizing motor learning, optimal information available to learner leads to optimal learning, determined by learner, task difficulty, and environment

Describe the OPTIMAL Theory of Motor Learning

Emphasizes the effects of motivation and attention on motor performance and learning; motivation and attention improve motor performance and learning by enhanced coupling of goals actions

OPTIMAL acronym

Optimizing Performance Through Intrinsic Motivation and Attention for Learning

Describe motor learning throughout the lifespan

Fastest in early childhood, gradually slows down as one ages

Describe children capacity to process and store information

Decreased information-processing capabilities and selective attention so practice should be blocked and feedback should be given slower

Children in rehab are not trying to recover a previously learned skill but are trying to ___

Gain it for the first time, learning must occur in context of development

In children with CP how should motor training be done

Focused on task-oriented training rather than remediating impairment, motor function can improve with practice, but considerably slower than in typically developing children

Why does motor learning take longer in older adults?

Motor learning relies on neuroplasticity, older adults can still acquire new motor skills, it often just takes more practice

How can we optimize motor learning capabilities in older adults?

Regular physical activity, task oriented practice, focus of attention, tailoring exercises to address functional needs and building upon existing motor skills to facilitate learning new ones