Practice/Skill Acquisition

Question 1

repetitive vs variable practice

Answer 1

practice in a variety of different ways= skill performance with a broader range of movement experiences (movement schemas_
increases flexibility and adaptability of learning and allows for increase transfer of development to novel tasks (generalizability)
skills performed in stable environments with high level of mvmt consistency are better suited to repetitive practice.
gentile introduces variable practice after client has learned the dynamics of the task thru repetitive practice.
increased variability leads to greater generalizability.
notes: take them out of therapy room.

Question 2

Massed vs. Distributive practice

Answer 2

distributed: amount of rest btw trials equals or is > than the amount of time for a trial.
i.e work on sh flexion for 2 min. and rest for 2 min.
massed: amount of practice time per trial is > than the amount of rest between trials.
i.e. work on trunk lateral flexion for 4 min. and rest for 1 min.
may lead to fatigue in some tasks which may mask the original learning effects during practice.

Question 3

continuous and discrete

Answer 3

continuous: rep. tasks with no definite beginning and end.
continuous motor control (posture, breathing, walking)
discrete tasks: a series of motor control mvmts
finite beginning and ending
notes: most tasks in OT are discrete

Question 4

whole vs part

Answer 4

whole: practice entire movement pattern without stopping or resting.
good for more simple and highly organized tasks.
i.e. feeding, transfer
part: task is broken down into interim steps so person can master each part before learning the entire task.
good for highly complex and low in organization

Question 5

methods of part task practice

Answer 5

segmentation: break down into parts
simplification: modify to make easier/manageable
fractionization: break down task into time and chunk.

Question 6

blocked vs. random

Answer 6

blocked: practice and complete all of task A before pt. switches to task B.
i.e. drills to enhance learning
allows for producing mvmts that are automatic
random: practice a mix of task A, B, and C and randomly intermix them.
contextual interference: challenge practice session by having pt. practice several skills during each session.
-increases retention
-increases transfer of mvmt skills
-increases cog strategies needed
notes: random is less predictable, more interesting, carryover of learning

Question 7

mental practice

Answer 7

=the act of performing a skill in one’s imagination without movement.
activates the neural circuits within motor cortex
research shows positive effects on task performance.