Structuring Practice in Intervention

Question 1

Blocked Practice

Answer 1

same conditions for a block of trials, then switch to new block/conditions

-improves Training Effects (temporary effects)

Question 2

Random Practice

Answer 2

all conditions are practiced in random order

-improves Retention (learning effects)

Question 3

Why is random practice better for retention as compared to blocked practice?

Answer 3

1) Elaborative and Distinctive Processing Theory

2) Forgetting and Reconstruction Theory

Question 4

Elaborative and Distinctive Processing Theory

Answer 4

Random practicing forces the learner into more elaborate and distinctive processing of the tasks to be learned

Random practice promotes comparing and contrasting of consecutive trials

Question 5

Forgetting and Reconstruction Theory

Answer 5

-During random practice, performers “forget” the solution for the upcoming action and are required to generate a new solution for each practice trial

Question 6

Mental Practice

Answer 6

Physical practice is preferable whenever possible, but when physical practice is not possible, mental rehearsal is an effective method for augmenting a person’s learning.

Useful when a patient has poor motor control of a body part

Question 7

Variability in Practice: Open Task

Answer 7

practice in a variety of environments with varying equipment, objects, circumstances, etc.

variable practice increases generalizability of the skill

Question 8

Variability in Practice: Closed Task

Answer 8

practice under constant conditions

Question 9

Specificity of Practice

Answer 9

simulate “real” conditions

Task Specificity
Ex)
Isometric, concentric vs eccentric 
same ROM
same velocity

Question 10

Part-practice

Answer 10

practice parts of the task

practice the more difficult elements

caution: practicing elements in isolation may change whole task

Question 11

Whole-practice

Answer 11

Practice entire task as a whole

Question 12

Continuous Tasks

Answer 12

MUST be practiced as a whole

parts occur simultaneously

momentum or inter-joint forces or tightly synchronized elements

Question 13

Part and Whole practice is Task Dependent…

Answer 13

• Whole practice is more effective when practicing continuous tasks
• Part practice is more effective when practicing serial tasks that contain distinct info

Question 14

Videotaping Performance

Answer 14

verbal cues identifying critical aspects of the various movements should be provided simultaneously with the videotape replay