Motor Learning - Topic 3: Massed vs Distributed Practice

Massed vs Distributed Practice

Mass Practice

One long practice

Distributed Practice

Multiple short sessions with breaks

Baddeley and Longman Study of Postal Workers:
What was the motor skills?

Learn to use a keyboard device to lift, read, and sort letters.

Baddeley and Longman Study of Postal Workers:
What were the groups/subjects?

4 groups varying in practice distribution

Baddeley and Longman Study of Postal Workers:
What were the findings/conclusions?

The group who practiced for an hour with 1 session per day was the most successful in learning the keyboard task

Shea et al (2000) Study:

What was measured?

1 longer practice session in 1 day vs 2 shorter sessions over 2 days

Shea et al (2000) Study:

What were the findings/conclusions?

Having 2 shorter practice sessions over 2 days enhanced learning as compared to having 1 longer practice session in one day.

Walter et al (2003) Study:

What motor skills was measured?

sequential finger tapping task

Walter et al (2003) Study:

How were the participants studied?

A variety of groups were compared that differed in number and distribution of training sessions and if and when sleep was done between sessions.

Walter et al (2003) Study:

What was Result 1?

This consisted in a sequence of practice session 1, 10 minute rest, and practice session 2 with a smooth learning curve. No apparent change in the rate of learning following a 10 minute break.

Walter et al (2003) Study:

What was Result 2?

This consisted in a sequence of 4 practice session on Day 1 and 4 on day 2 with a 4 hour rest between practice session and sleep between Day 1 and Day 2. The skill performance improved a little after each 4 hours rest and was dramatically different on day 2 after sleep.

Walter et al (2003) Study:

What was Result 3?

This consisted in a sequence of 3 practice session of 10am, 10pm, Sleep, 10am OR 10pm Sleep, 10am, 10pm in which all 3 sessions were separated by 12 hours with 1 break interval included for sleep. The 12 hours break provided a small/moderate skill improvement and the 12 hours break with sleep resulted in dramatic skill improvement.

According to the Walter et al (2003) Study in result 3 which group succeeded the most?

The group that practiced with a 12-hour break followed by sleep showed the most dramatic skill improvement.

T/F: Pretty Strong evidence show benefits of spaced practice over massed practice

True

What types of research support the benefits of spaced practice?

Motor learning research and work-site skills training

A rest break of 4-12 hours on the same day, has what kind of effects?

Small

A break of 24-hours with sleep, has what kind of effects?

Larger effects

Which kind of break enhances learning/performance?

A 24-hour break with sleep

Why does spaced practice work?

It provides higher quality practice, mental activity/thought during breaks, and brin activity during sleep

How does spaced practice enhance the quality of practice?

shorter practice sessions with breaks = higher quality practice, more alertness, higher level of concentrating, and less mental and physical fatigue

How does spaced practice improve the mental activity/thoughts during breaks?

Breaks give time for active/conscious mental rehearsal or thought

Brain activity during sleep is reflective of…

brain activity during motor skill learning while awake

T/F: brain activity during sleep is different if you’ve practiced a motor skill during the day

True

As the brain goes through sleep stages, what happens?

There is a change in neurochemistry and areas of the brain become more/less active

What happens to brain activity during sleep?

Memory consolidation and enhancement occurs, organization of learned material within framework of knowledge and

What happens during memory consolidation and enhancement?

connections made between new and previously learned material occurs causing the strengthening and integration of motor skills into long-term memory.

T/F: Using distributed practice concepts in planning practice/therapy/lessons breaks up practice of 1 skill with practice of another and includes with rest breaks

True

T/F: Using distributed practice concepts in planning practice/therapy/lessons trains for a skill over multiple days

True