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High contextual interference improves retention in motor learning: systematic review and meta-analysis
Stanisław H Czyż1,2,3, Aleksandra M Wójcik4, Petra Solarská5
1Faculty of Physical Education and Sports, Wrocław University of Health and Sport Sciences, Wrocław, Poland. stachu.czyz@gmail.com.
Scientific Reports
|July 10, 2024
Summary
High contextual interference (CI) practice schedules moderately benefit motor skill retention, especially in older adults. However, this effect is less pronounced in applied settings and young participants.
Area of Science:
- Motor Learning
- Cognitive Psychology
- Sports Science
Background:
- The contextual interference (CI) effect on motor skill acquisition has been studied since 1966.
- Despite widespread advocacy, the CI effect's impact on retention has faced scrutiny.
- Existing literature requires a comprehensive review to clarify CI's influence on motor learning retention.
Purpose of the Study:
- To conduct a systematic literature review and meta-analysis on the contextual interference effect.
- To determine the specific impact of different practice schedules on motor skill retention.
- To investigate moderating factors such as participant age and setting.
Main Methods:
- A systematic search of six major databases (Scopus, EBSCO, Web of Science, PsycINFO, ScienceDirect, Google Scholar) identified 1255 articles.
- Full texts of 294 studies were screened, with 54 included in the meta-analysis.
- Two meta-analysis models (three-level mixed model, random-effects model) were employed to analyze the data.
Main Results:
- High CI demonstrated a statistically significant, medium beneficial effect on motor skill retention across the general population.
- Random practice schedules significantly enhanced retention in laboratory settings but showed a negligible effect in applied settings.
- The positive impact of random practice on retention was substantial in older adults (large effect size) and adults (medium effect size), but insignificant in young participants.
Conclusions:
- Random practice schedules, a form of high contextual interference, generally enhance motor skill retention.
- The effectiveness of random practice is context-dependent, showing greater benefits in controlled laboratory environments compared to applied settings.
- Age is a significant moderator, with older and adult populations benefiting more from random practice for skill retention than younger individuals.
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