Training and contextual interference effects on memory and transfer

Area of Science:

• Cognitive Psychology
• Motor Learning
• Sports Science

Background:

• Coincidence anticipation and prediction skills are crucial in many sports.
• Previous research suggests contextual interference and external activities impact skill acquisition.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the effects of sports training and contextual interference on coincidence anticipation skills.
• To examine how random versus blocked practice contexts influence skill acquisition, retention, and transfer.
• To explore the role of the learner as an active information processor.

Main Methods:

• Novice females underwent an experimental intervention program.
• Training involved both laboratory tasks and sports training.
• Practice sessions utilized random and blocked contextual interference conditions.
• Acquisition contexts preceded sports training.

Main Results:

• Observed results supported theoretical predictions on contextual interference.
• Sports training effects were most significant during retention and transfer when acquisition context was random.
• Activities outside the laboratory demonstrably influenced laboratory task performance.

Conclusions:

• Random practice contexts enhance the retention and transfer of coincidence anticipation skills.
• Learner's active processing of information, influenced by external activities, is key to skill transfer.
• Findings align with transfer-appropriate processing theories.