Schmidt's schema theory

Question 1

What is the definition of schema?

Answer 1

> All of the information needed to make a movement decision - stored in the long term memory

Question 2

What are Schmidt’s theories?

Answer 2

> That it is impossible to store a motor programme for every variation of a skill in our LTM
Motor programmes are clustered (GMP) and adapted to different situations

Question 3

What are generalised motor programmes? (GMP)

Answer 3

> Captures the basic form of our movements - developed through the learning process

e.g. throwing - cricket bowl / quarterback

Question 4

What is recall schema?

Answer 4

> Provides adjustments to the GMP after understanding the situation you are in (initial conditions) and your intentions (response specifications)

Question 5

What are the ‘initial conditions’ during recall schema?

Answer 5

What is happening?
> Occurs before a movement is initiated and includes information a performer must know to perform a schema
1. Surroundings (players, goal)
2. Environment (surface, weather)

Question 6

What are the ‘response specifications’ in recall schema?

Answer 6

What is the aim?
> The adjustments that need to be made to the GMP to bring about the desired outcome
1. Speed, force, direction
2. Specific techniques

Question 7

Give an example of recall schema

Answer 7

Initial conditions: tennis opponent positioned at the back of the court
Response specification: less force applied to the shot
Adaptation to GMP: drop shot is played to win a point

Question 8

What is recognition schema?

Answer 8

> Allows you to know when you’ve made an error
Occurs during/after a skill
In order to correct or alter a response the athlete must know:
1. Movement / response outcomes
2. Sensory consequence

Question 9

What are ‘movement/response outcomes’ in recognition schema?

Answer 9

What happened?
> The result of the action
> Gained through KR
> Response outcome is compared with the intended outcome, updating the memory store for future reference

Question 10

What is a ‘sensory consequence’ in recognition schema?

Answer 10

Why did it happen?
> The feelings experienced during and after the movement - information received via the sensory system
> This creates a memory of experience to be used in recall schema to make suitable adjustments

Question 11

Give five coaching implications to help build schema

Answer 11

1) Increased us of variable practice
2) Practice specific to activity
3) Trial and error + feedback
4) Fundamental skills are mastered
5) Tasks increase in challenge