Practice Variability (L15)

Question 1

constant vs variable practice

Answer 1

*Constant Practice:
oPractice under unvarying situations
oi.e. practice golf putt from one distance
oDrill-like
*Variable Practice:
oPractice of a number of variations (in
movement and context characteristics)
oi.e. practice golf putt from different distances

Question 2

what is the Performance-Learning distinction

Answer 2

Increased performance error
during skill acquisition/practice
benefits learning

Question 3

what type of practice facilitates skill transfer?

Answer 3

variable practice

Question 4

Why is variable practice better?

Answer 4

It facilitates formation of GMP

*Enhances learning of rules (schema’s) that govern the movement variations
*Increases generalizability of learning – make a movement you’ve never
made before (i.e. transfer)

Question 5

what to change when implementing variable practice?

reg vs non reg conditions

Answer 5

1. Regulatory conditions (features of environmental context to which movements must conform):
   *Walking: on sand, on grass, on icy sidewalk
   *Reaching and grasping a cup: size, shape, texture, weight
2. Non-regulatory conditions (features of environmental context that
   have no influence or indirect influence on movement characteristics):
   *crowd noise
   *weather