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High-definition Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation over Right Dorsolateral Prefrontal Cortex to Enhance Metacognitive Sensitivity

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Self-Controlled Practice to Achieve Neuro-Cognitive Engagement: Underlying Brain Processes to Enhance Cognitive-Motor

Kyle J Jaquess¹, Yingzhi Lu^1,2, Seppo E Iso-Ahola¹

¹Department of Kinesiology, School of Public Health, University of Maryland, College Park, MD, USA.

Journal of Motor Behavior

|October 16, 2019

Summary

Self-controlled practice enhances learning by increasing neuro-cognitive engagement, specifically improving working memory and central executive functions. This heightened engagement directly correlates with better skill improvement in tasks like golf putting.

Keywords:

Alpha coherence EEG theta

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Area of Science:

Cognitive Neuroscience
Motor Learning
Sports Science

Background:

Self-controlled practice is recognized as an effective learning strategy.
The underlying neuro-cognitive mechanisms driving its effectiveness remain largely unexplored.

Purpose of the Study:

To investigate the neuro-cognitive engagement differences between self-controlled and externally controlled practice.
To determine if enhanced neuro-cognitive engagement during self-controlled practice relates to performance improvements.

Main Methods:

Two groups (self-controlled and yoked) of 16 participants completed a 3-day golf putting task.
Electroencephalography (EEG) measured working memory engagement, central executive activity, and cortical activation.

Main Results:

The self-controlled group demonstrated more consistent working memory engagement and greater central executive activity than the yoked group.
Increased neuro-cognitive engagement during self-controlled practice was positively associated with performance gains.

Conclusions:

Self-controlled practice promotes superior neuro-cognitive engagement compared to externally controlled methods.
This enhanced engagement is a key factor contributing to the performance benefits of self-controlled practice.