Schmidt's schema theory

Question 1

Schema:

Answer 1

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

Question 2

Schmidt’s statements:

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

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

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

Initial conditions:

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

Response specification:

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

Recall schema: (example)

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

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

Movement / Response outcomes:

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

Sensory consequence:

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

Coaching implications: (to 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