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Effect of Self-Controlled Practice on Neuro-Cortical Dynamics During the Processing of Visual Performance Feedback
Kyle J Jaquess1,2,3, Yingzhi Lu1,4, Andrew Ginsberg1
1Department of Kinesiology, University of Maryland, College Park, MD, USA.
Journal of Motor Behavior
|September 17, 2020
Summary
Self-controlled practice enhances neuro-cognitive processing during skill acquisition, as shown by elevated electroencephalography (EEG) theta power. This benefit is linked to different performance improvement correlations in self-controlled versus externally controlled practice.
Area of Science:
- Cognitive Neuroscience
- Motor Learning
- Sports Psychology
Background:
- Self-controlled practice often leads to better skill acquisition and information processing than externally controlled practice.
- The neuro-cognitive mechanisms underlying self-controlled practice, particularly during feedback processing, remain under-investigated.
- Understanding these mechanisms can optimize learning strategies in various domains.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the impact of self-controlled practice on neuro-cognitive information processing during visual performance feedback.
- To compare electroencephalography (EEG) theta power between self-controlled and externally controlled practice conditions.
- To examine the relationship between EEG theta power and performance improvement in different practice conditions.
Main Methods:
- Participants engaged in a golf-putting task under either self-controlled or externally controlled (yoked) practice conditions.
- Electroencephalography (EEG) data were recorded throughout the practice sessions.
- Performance improvement and EEG theta power during feedback processing were analyzed.
Main Results:
- The self-controlled group exhibited sustained elevated EEG theta power during the feedback period compared to the yoked group.
- The yoked group showed increased theta power only after the ball stopped, unlike the self-controlled group.
- Both groups achieved similar performance improvements, but the relationship between theta power and improvement differed: positive for self-controlled, negative for yoked.
Conclusions:
- Self-controlled practice enhances neuro-cognitive processing during skill acquisition, evidenced by distinct EEG theta power patterns.
- The differential relationship between theta power and performance improvement suggests unique neural mechanisms at play.
- These findings highlight the importance of learner control in optimizing neuro-cognitive engagement and skill development.
