Errorless Practice to Facilitate Implicit Motor Learning in Children

The aim of this study was to determine if the reduction of errors during practice facilitates implicit motor learning processes in children. 30 children (meanage =11.33±1.32 yr) threw beanbags with a near-to-far or a far-to-near order, while their vision was occluded. The near-to-far group began the acquisition phase at a distance of 2 m from the target. Then, they practiced the task at a distance of 3 m, 4 m and finally 5 m from the target. Far-to-near group began the practice phase at the distance of 5 m and then moved to 4 m, 3 m and 2 m respectively. Delayed single-task and dual-task tests were administered at a distance of 3.50 m from the target. During the acquisition phase, the ratio of errors made by the near-to-far (errorless) group was found to be significantly less than the far-to-near (errorful) group. No significant intergroup difference was found in the single-task test. The results also revealed that the errorless group performed the task with less errors than the errorful group in the dual-task condition. It was generally concluded that less errors during practicing a motor skill can facilitate the use of implicit motor learning processes in children

The Facilitating Effect of Self-Controlled Practice on Learning Multiple Motor Skills

To create more efficient learning environments, the learner’s role and his/her influence on the learning process should be considered. The aim of this study was to determine the way self-controlled practice affected performance and learning of motor patterns. 60 female undergraduate students (mean age = 20.73 yr., SD = 2.98) were randomly assigned to four groups that ordered self-controlled practice or three yoked-to-self-controlled. In the acquisition phase, the self-controlled group was told they could choose whichever of three motor patterns they wanted before they practiced each trial. Each self-controlled participant’s practice schedule was served as the predetermined practice schedule for each corresponding participant in the yoked control groups. The yoked control participants practiced the tasks with high, low, or no (classic yoked-control) variability. The results showed that the self-controlled group performed the tasks faster than the other yoked control groups in both the acquisition phase and the retention tests. The findings suggest that if the learners are allowed to choose the sequence of practice in multiple motor skills, this would have facilitating effects on their performance and motor learning