EPHE 245 Midterm 1 (Oct 5)

what is a skill

ability to bring out some end result with efficiency, proficiency and consistency

explain the difference between learning and performance

• performance = act of executing a skill

• learning: relatively permanent internal change that is often visible via changes in performance

what is retention design

a test following an empty period without practice

what is transfer design

a change of task conditions where the parameters are different in some way

what are the 7 characteristics of learning

1. results from practice or experience

2. is not directly observable

3. changes are observed from certain changes in performance

4. involves a set of neural alterations/plasticity

5. not all changes in performance are learning

6. produces an acquired capability for skilled performance

7. changes are relatively permanent and not transitory

learning results from

practice or experience

is learning directly observable

no, but can be inferred through performance

what occurs internally as a result of learning

neural alterations/plasticity

are all changes in performance a result of learning?

no, can be due to caffeine, ADHD, puffers, steroids, other performance enhancing mechanisms

learning produces an acquired capability for

skilled performance

what are performance outcome measures

measures indicating outcome or result of performing a skill

• time of completion

• reaction time

• # of trials

• time on/off

what are performance production measures

measures about performance characteristics that produce the outcome

• displacement

• velocity

• acceleration

• joint angle

• EMG

• EEG

what are the criteria for a motor skill (4)

1. goal oriented

2. body and/or limb movements required

3. movements are voluntary

4. are learned and developed as a result of practice

differentiate between fine and gross motor skills

• fine: precise, manipulative movements using smaller muscles

• gross: typically multi-limb movements using larger muscle groups

what are discrete motor skills

well-defined beginning and end, usually brief

• Eg: underwater pushoff

what are serial skills

discrete skills strung together to form more complicated actions

• Eg: breaststroke pullout

what are continuous skills

repetitive skill with an arbitrary beginning and end point, often rhythmic in nature

• swimming breaststroke

differentiate between closed and open skills

closed:

• stable, predictable environment

• object does not change during performance

• self paced

open:

• unpredictable changing environment

• object or context is in motion during performance

• performer responds to variation in environment

• externally paced