Promoting Exploration During Learning: Effect of Imposed and Self-Controlled Practice Schedules on Learners'...

Area of Science:

• Motor learning
• Sports science
• Motor control

Background:

• Enriching motor repertoires in complex tasks like climbing aids adaptation to diverse constraints.
• Variable practice is often proposed, but excessive exploration can hinder learning.
• Learner control over practice schedules may better align with individual learning dynamics.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate if self-controlled practice enhances motor repertoire flexibility in climbing compared to imposed schedules or constant practice.
• To determine if learner control over confronting new climbing routes improves behavioral flexibility.
• To compare the effects of self-controlled variability versus imposed variability and constant practice on motor repertoire enrichment.

Main Methods:

• Participants were assigned to constant practice (CPG), imposed-variability (IVG), or self-controlled variability (SVG) groups for a climbing task.
• Behavioral flexibility was assessed using a scanning procedure with manipulated route designs and instructions.
• The study involved pre-test, post-test, and retention phases to evaluate learning and flexibility.

Main Results:

• Initially, participants exhibited limited flexibility, relying heavily on a single coordination pattern.
• At post-test and retention, all groups showed increased use of novel hand coordination patterns and patterns associated with climbing fluency.
• Self-controlled practice appeared to foster greater flexibility, while imposed exploration offered no significant advantage over constant practice.

Conclusions:

• Individualized exploration rates in self-controlled practice may enhance motor flexibility in complex tasks.
• Forced exploration in practice does not necessarily yield superior results compared to constant practice for pluri-articular tasks.
• Learner control over practice schedules can be a valuable strategy for improving motor repertoire adaptability.