Lecture 15

Question 1

Skill

Answer 1

A learnt ability to move effectively and more efficiently

Question 2

Learning

Answer 2

Reflects changes in perceptual, cognitive and action capability

Question 3

Nerophysiology of learning

Answer 3

It is very difficult to measure things that change = so that we can say learning has occured

Question 4

Neurophysiology of learninging 4 points

Answer 4

• Very difficult to measure precise changes
  -Selective strengthing / pruning of neural pathways with practice
• Refined neural representation of body parts
  -Gradually responsibility for motor control delegated to sub-conscious brain structures such as cerebellum, hippocampus etc

Question 5

Experience-dependent plasticity:

Answer 5

• Synaptic Pruning
• Long-term potentiation (improved synaptic efficiency)
• Selective inhibition
• Myelination

Question 6

What is myelination

Answer 6

Maturation of certain nerve cells whereby a fatty sheath forms around the axons which allows the nerve impulses to travel faster

Question 7

What does skilled performance look like (5 points)

Answer 7

• Accomplishment of the task goal
• consistent
  -Persistent
  -Adaptability
  -Efficient (attention, physical)

Question 8

Skill requires (4 points)

Answer 8

• Perception/ awareness
• Intention to move
• Postural control
• Coordination

Question 9

Fitts and Posner 3 stage model of motor learning

Answer 9

Can be difficult to classify how skilled an individual is

This model distinguishes between cognitive, perceptual and motor demands of the skill to be learnt

Question 10

Cognitive

Answer 10

Getting the idea
Trail and error
Awkward
Inefficient

Question 11

Motor

Answer 11

More control
Adaptable
Less errors
More Relaxed

Question 12

Skilled

Answer 12

Automatic
Fluid
Efficient
Accurate
Consistent

Question 13

Learning

Answer 13

Result of permanent change not observable, must monitor performance over a long period of time

Question 14

Performance

Answer 14

Temporary, non permanent changes, observable

Question 15

Performance improvement is a good indicator of ……

Answer 15

Motor learning if
- assessed over a long time
- Combining with other factors (Consistency, persistance, Coordination)

Question 16

Performance improvement is a bad indicator

Answer 16

Of motor learning if
- The performance measure doesn’t truly show gains
-Improved performance is a result of bad habits

Question 17

Different types of performance curves

Answer 17

• Linear
  -S-shaped
  -Positively accelerating
  -Negatively accelerating

Question 18

Negative accelerating

Answer 18

Is when initial improvements come relatively quick then slows down

Question 19

Positively accelerating

Answer 19

accelerating happens later with practice

Question 20

Linear

Answer 20

Each bit of practice is proportional to improvement

Question 21

S-shaped

Answer 21

Initial slow growth - rapid acceleration - plateau

Question 22

Performance curves provided means

Answer 22

to evaluate changes in performance measures over time

Question 23

Measuring performance

Answer 23

Compare pretest to postest

Question 24

Measuring learning

Answer 24

Retention test -have a break then try again

Question 25

Measuring adaptability

Answer 25

Perform a transfer test related to skill

Question 26

Measures of retention (absolute retention)

Answer 26

Difference score
- amount of loss in skill over the retention interval
-Difference between performance levels at end of original learning session and begining of retention test

Percentage score
- Amount of loss in skill over the retention interval (difference score) relative to amount of improvement in original-learning score

Question 27

Transfer of learning

Answer 27

Tasks may be practiced in a session that are modified from the primary skill learnt

Question 28

Types of transfer

Answer 28

Positive / negative
General = can benefit different activities, contexts
Specific = Only useful for adapting movement in same context

Vertical=Difficulty
Horizontal= context

Question 29

It is a general assumption that swimming in a pool

Answer 29

can prevent drowning -> skill transfer is not clear

Question 30

Motor Learning (redefined)

Answer 30

Is an ongoing dynamic process involving a search for and sabilisation of specific, functional movement patterns as each individual adapts to a variety of changing constraints