Motor Learning Definition And Assessment

Question 1

2 ways to assess motor learning

Answer 1

Performance in practice
Learning tests

Question 2

How can you assess performance in practice

Answer 2

Performance curves
Coordination dynamics

Question 3

2 types of learning tests

Answer 3

Retention tests
Transfer tests

Question 4

Six general performance characteristics of skill learning

Answer 4

Improvement
Consistency
Stability
Persistence
Adaptability
Reduced attention demand

Question 5

What are performance curves looking at

Answer 5

Performance changes over time/ practice
Graphical representation of performance during practice
Does not mean learning has happened

Question 6

What are coordination dynamics for

Answer 6

Developing new temporal (time) and spatial patterns
- creating a new pattern from an old pattern vs learning something new

Question 7

4 general types of performance curves

Answer 7

1) linear
2) negatively accelerated curve
3) positively accelerated curve
4) olive/S-shaped curve

Question 8

Linear curve

Answer 8

Proportional increases over time
Steady performance improvement

Question 9

Negatively accelerated curve

Answer 9

• large improvement early, small improvements later
• represents classic power law (functional relationship) of skill learning

Question 10

What is the most prominent type of curve in motor learning

Answer 10

Negatively accelerated curve

Question 11

Positively accelerated curve

Answer 11

Slight improvement early, large improvement later
Ex) coming off injury

Question 12

Give/S-shaped curve

Answer 12

Combination of all 3 curves

Question 13

How is improvement seen

Answer 13

General direction of the curve
(Error decreases)

Question 14

how is consistency seen

Answer 14

Near end of practice session
How far the standard deviation lines are from the mean
Scores closer together

Question 15

What do we compare performance to on performance curves for kinematic data

Answer 15

Criterion

Question 16

How is improvement measured in kinematic data

Answer 16

Tracing in final block of trials compared to criterion
- improvement would be closer to criterion

Question 17

How is consistency measured for kinematic data

Answer 17

Decreased SD from first to last block of trials
- amount of distance between criterion and what trying to achieve

Question 18

What are 3 performance characteristics that demonstrate learning

Answer 18

Improvement, consistency, persistence

Question 19

What does learning coordination dynamics require

Answer 19

Developing new spatial and temporal patterns

Question 20

What does a learning test comparing to performance on 1st day (baseline) demonstrate

Answer 20

Amount of performance improvement
- beginning to end

Question 21

What does a learning test comparing to most recent performance attempt demonstrate

Answer 21

Persistence (retention test) or adaptability (transfer test) of performance improvement
- if similar to last practice - persistence

Question 22

Purpose of retention tests

Answer 22

Assess permanence of the performance level achieved during practice

Question 23

What do retention tests assess

Answer 23

The persistence of improved performance

Question 24

What can you infer from a retention test

Answer 24

How much you have learned based on your performance on the test
- if over period of time you can still complete the skill

Question 25

What is a retention test test

Answer 25

Tests performance of the same skill following a period of not performing that skill

Question 26

How long should be between the end of practice and the retention test (retention interval)

Answer 26

It is arbitrary - 24 hours is recommended minimum - long enough that the effect of performance variables will dissipate

Question 27

What can you be confident in if the difference between the two trials (first practice day and test day) is significant

Answer 27

Learning has occurred (improvement)

Question 28

What can you be confident in if the difference between the last practice and the test day is minimal

Answer 28

Learning has occurred (persistence)

Question 29

What do transfer tests assess

Answer 29

The adaptability of performance

Question 30

What do transfer tests involve

Answer 30

Performing the practiced skill in a performance context or situation different from practice

Question 31

How to you provide a novel situation to assess learning

Answer 31

1. Context variations (changing environment) 2. Skill variations

Question 32

3 novel context characteristics

Answer 32

Availability of augmented feedback Physical environment Personal characteristics

Question 33

Availability of augmented feedback

Answer 33

Skill that is practiced is tested Ex) game vs practice Test vs lecture

Question 34

Physical environment

Answer 34

Especially effective for a learning situation in which the goal is to enable the person to perform in locations other than those in which they practiced Ex) rehab setting to home Gold dome to golf course

Question 35

Personal characteristics

Answer 35

How well a person can perform the skill while adapting to characteristics of their self that were not present during practice Ex) stress, anxiety

Question 36

Novel skill variation for transfer tests

Answer 36

Does the learning transfer from one variation of the skill to another Changes in object being manipulated, speed of movement, direction of movement Ex) change in speed of walking Ex) passing ball vs puck Pirouette turned out vs parallel

Question 37

What do retention tests test

Answer 37

Persistence

Question 38

What do transfer tests test

Answer 38

Adaptability

Question 39

What are the 4 cautions when interpreting performance curves

Answer 39

1. Performance is measure, not capability 2. Performance plateaus 3. Ceiling and floor effects 4. Scoring criteria may change performance outcome

Question 40

What are group averages not sensitive to

Answer 40

Individual differences in performance

Question 41

What do ceiling and floor effects limit

Answer 41

Sensitivity of a measurement to detect further improvements

Question 42

What may practice involve that affects how performance is measured

Answer 42

Performance variables which may enhance or impair performance

Question 43

What can control for performance variables

Answer 43

Learning tests - retention tests overcome this problem by evaluating persistence of learning - transfer tests overcome this problem by evaluating adaptability to novel situations - do practice test then learning test

Question 44

How can practice performance misrepresent learning

Answer 44

If only go by practice can get wrong idea about was was learnt and retained

Question 45

What are conclusions of concurrent feedback during skill and terminal feedback after a trial or after 5 trials

Answer 45

Concurrent feedback was beneficial for immediate performance improvement but not for learning (lack of persistence after tests 48hrs later)

Question 46

How should you assess learning

Answer 46

Learning tests after retention period

Question 47

When should you assess learning

Answer 47

Min 24 hrs

Question 48

Performance plateau

Answer 48

Period of time in which there is no improvement, but then experiences improvement with continued practice

Question 49

How do we see performance plateaus

Answer 49

Seen in individual data during practice

Question 50

What are 2 possible causes of performance plateaus

Answer 50

1. Cessation of learning 2. A temporary performance artefact (unintended interference) (more likely)

Question 51

What are possible performance artefacts causing plateaus

Answer 51

1. Transition between two phases of learning (developing a new strategy needed to improve) 2. Personal factors: period of low motivation, fatigue, lack of attention, etc. 3. Measurement type causing ceiling or floor affects

Question 52

What is the floor effect

Answer 52

Task is too difficult - not much improvement - too hard for improvement to occur

Question 53

What is ceiling effect

Answer 53

Task is too easy - improved significantly, mastered it - curve cannot go any higher

Question 54

How can scoring criteria change performance outcomes

Answer 54

Measurement must appropriately reflect performance changes - sensitive enough to show improvement - have ability to show individual changes