An Examination of the Contextual Interference Effect and the Errorless Learning Model during Motor Learning.

The purpose of this study was to investigate the combined effects of random and block practice, with errorless and errorful conditions, on motor learning. One hundred-twenty participants (all male, Mage = 21.19 ± 1.4 years) were randomly assigned to one of eight groups. Participants completed a dart throwing task across the experimental phases. In the retention test, evidence supporting the CI effect was found in the 'errorless' conditions, but not in the 'errorful' conditions. In the transfer tests, the findings indicated that the impact of errorless and errorful conditions on participants' automation levels depends on the structure of practice. Participants in the Random-Errorless group performed better in the transfer tests than those in the Random group and the Random-Errorful group, suggesting greater automation levels following errorless practice.

Path analysis of the effect of irrational beliefs on the structures of the planned behavior model in the field of physical activity / Análise do caminho do efeito das crenças irracionais nas estruturas do modelo de comportamento planejado no campo da atividade física

ABSTRACT The aim of the present study was to path analysis of the hypothesized model of the irrational beliefs on the constructs of the planned behavior model, in particular the physical activity intention, and also the prediction of the physical activity intention based on the constructs of irrational beliefs. 320 male and female students of Semnan Province were randomly selected and completed Planned Behavior and Irrational Beliefs (Ahwaz) questionnaires. A path analysis model was used to analyse the relationships between variables and calculate the direct and indirect structural effects. Also, multiple regression analysis was used to predict theoretical constructs of planned behavior using irrational beliefs dimensions. The results indicated that the hypothesized model is not in accordance with the data of this study and direct effect of irrational beliefs on subjective norms is not meaningful. By eliminating the effect of irrational beliefs on subjective norms and adding the effect of subjective norms on perceived behavioral control, a new model was obtained that was fitted with the data. Also, the results show that two variables of Demand for approval and problem avoidance were significant predictors of physical activity intention. The results of this study showed that irrational beliefs, both directly and indirectly (through attitudes and perceived behavioral control), have an effect on the physical activity intention. Therefore, it is important to reduce the irrational beliefs in order to develop the intentions of physical activity and the physical activity itself.

RESUMO O objetivo do presente estudo foi traçar a análise do modelo hipotético das crenças irracionais sobre os construtos do modelo de comportamento planejado, em particular a intenção de atividade física, e também a predição da intenção de atividade física com base nos construtos de crenças irracionais. 320 estudantes do sexo masculino e feminino da província de Semnan foram selecionados aleatoriamente e completaram os questionários de Gordon (2008) e Irrational Beliefs (Ahwaz) 2005. Um modelo de análise de caminho foi utilizado para analisar as relações entre as variáveis e calcular os efeitos estruturais diretos e indiretos. Além disso, a análise de regressão múltipla foi usada para prever construções teóricas de comportamento planejado usando dimensões de crenças irracionais. Os resultados indicaram que o modelo hipotético não está de acordo com os dados deste estudo e o efeito direto das crenças irracionais sobre as normas subjetivas não é significativo. Ao eliminar o efeito das crenças irracionais sobre as normas subjetivas e adicionar o efeito das normas subjetivas sobre o controle comportamental percebido, foi obtido um novo modelo que foi ajustado aos dados. Além disso, os resultados mostram que duas variáveis ​​de demanda por aprovação e evitação de problemas foram preditores significativos da intenção de atividade física. Os resultados deste estudo mostraram que as crenças irracionais, tanto direta quanto indiretamente (por meio de atitudes e controle comportamental percebido), afetam a intenção de atividade física. Portanto, é importante reduzir as crenças irracionais a fim de desenvolver as intenções de atividade física e a própria atividade física.

Adding Acoustical to Visual Movement Patterns to Retest Whether Imitation Is Goal- or Pattern-Directed.

This study compared two different motor skill modeling presentations (with and without goal display) in visual and audio-visual conditions for learning a complex skill (basketball jump shot) to evaluate the importance of (a) audio information and (b) goal observation in motor performance kinematics. Specifically, we sought to understand whether the simultaneous presentation of auditory and visual patterns could usefully direct the learner's attention from goal to pattern stimuli. I selected 40 students (Mage = 20.47 years) who had no prior experience with the basketball jump shot or free throw and randomly assigned them into four groups: Pattern/Visual, Pattern/Audio-Visual, Pattern-Goal/Visual, and Pattern-Goal/Audio-Visual. Participants in the pattern-only groups watched only the skilled motor pattern, while those in the pattern-goal groups watched both the pattern and its outcome. Participants in the visual-only groups simply watched the visual pattern, while those in audio-visual groups saw and heard the pattern; we sonified the angular velocity of the skilled performer's elbow joint. Participants then performed in two conditions with and without balls. On all dependent variables, the participants' performance following the audio-visual presentations was better than when following the visual-only presentations. In addition, the participants' performance in pattern-only groups was better than in pattern-goal groups, but this improved pattern-only performance was far less extensive in the audio-visual than in the visual-only group. In sum, complex motor skill imitation was enhanced by an audio pattern of elbow angular velocity in support of generalist theories of imitation learning.