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Published on: September 4, 2019
How experts practice: a novel test of deliberate practice theory
Edward K Coughlan1, A Mark Williams1, Allistair P McRobert1
1Research Institute for Sport and Exercise Sciences, Liverpool John Moores University.
Journal of Experimental Psychology. Learning, Memory, and Cognition
|September 5, 2013
Summary
Expert Gaelic football players improved performance by engaging in deliberate practice, focusing on weaker skills, which was effortful and less enjoyable. Intermediate players practicing stronger skills showed short-term gains but not long-term retention.
Area of Science:
- Sports Science
- Motor Learning
- Expert Performance
Background:
- Performance improvement is often attributed to deliberate practice.
- Deliberate practice is characterized by being challenging, effortful, and not inherently enjoyable.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate how expert and intermediate Gaelic football players engage in deliberate practice.
- To examine the relationship between practice characteristics (effort, enjoyment) and skill improvement.
Main Methods:
- Gaelic football players (expert and intermediate) performed two types of kicks during acquisition and testing phases.
- Participants self-selected practice methods and rated effort and enjoyment during practice.
Main Results:
- Experts predominantly practiced their weaker skill, leading to sustained improvement across retention tests.
- Experts rated practice as more effortful and less enjoyable than intermediates.
- Intermediates practiced stronger skills, showing improvement from pre- to post-test but not retention.
Conclusions:
- Findings support deliberate practice theory in skill acquisition.
- Experts' practice strategies, focusing on weaknesses, are key to long-term performance enhancement.
- Effortful and less enjoyable practice correlates with greater performance gains in Gaelic football.
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