3.6 Applying Motor Learning Practice

Question 1

What is massed practice?

Answer 1

Practice time > rest time within a session.

Question 2

What is distributed practice?

Answer 2

Rest time ≥ practice time within a session.

Question 3

How does massed practice affect continuous tasks?

Answer 3

It decreases performance due to fatigue.

Question 4

How does practice type affect discrete tasks?

Answer 4

Research is mixed

Question 5

What is constant practice?

Answer 5

Practicing a task under the same, unchanging conditions (e.g., same set of stairs).

Question 6

What is variable practice?

Answer 6

Practicing a task under varied conditions (e.g., different types of stairs, with/without rails).

Question 7

When is variable practice most useful?

Answer 7

When tasks will be performed in varied conditions.

Question 8

When is constant practice most useful?

Answer 8

For tasks with minimal variation performed under consistent conditions.

Question 9

What is blocked practice?

Answer 9

Practicing one task repeatedly before moving to another (e.g., stairs only, then walking).

Question 10

What is random practice?

Answer 10

Practicing multiple tasks in a random order (e.g., stairs, then walking, then floor transfers).

Question 11

Which practice type improves performance during training?

Answer 11

Blocked practice.

Question 12

Which practice type improves long-term learning/retention?

Answer 12

Random practice.

Question 13

What is contextual interference?

Answer 13

Interference during practice that makes performance harder but improves learning long-term.

Question 14

When is random practice most effective?

Answer 14

With skills using different coordination patterns and motor programs.

Question 15

When might blocked practice be better initially?

Answer 15

When learners are inexperienced and don’t yet understand task dynamics.

Question 16

What is whole practice?

Answer 16

Practicing the entire task as one unit (e.g., full gait training).

Question 17

What is part practice?

Answer 17

Breaking the task into components practiced separately before combining into the whole.

Question 18

Why might isolated part practice be limited?

Answer 18

Practicing components out of context may not activate the same neural networks as whole-task practice.

Question 19

What does research suggest about part vs. whole practice?

Answer 19

Both can be beneficial

Question 20

What is transfer of learning?

Answer 20

Ability to apply a skill learned in one environment to another environment.

Question 21

What determines effective transfer?

Answer 21

Similarity of neural processing demands between environments.

Question 22

Example of poor transfer?

Answer 22

Standing balance on a flat clinic surface doesn’t guarantee success at home with carpets and dim light.

Question 23

What is mental practice?

Answer 23

Rehearsing a skill in the mind without muscle activity.

Question 24

How effective is mental practice compared to physical practice?

Answer 24

Better than no practice, but less effective than physical practice.

Question 25

How does mental practice work?

Answer 25

Activates neural circuits underlying motor programs for the movements.

Question 26

What is guidance in practice?

Answer 26

Physically guiding the learner through the task.

Question 27

What is discovery learning?

Answer 27

Learner uses trial-and-error to find the best movement strategy.

Question 28

What does research show about guidance vs. discovery learning?

Answer 28

Guidance is no more effective than discovery