The effect of feedback after good and poor trials on the continuous motor tasks learning

Abstract

Background: Although the useful effects of motivational feedback on the motor skills learning have been proven, a study focusing on the effects of feedback after good and poor trials in continuous motor tasks has not been conducted. Objective: The purpose of the present study is to examine the effect of feedback after good versus poor trials on continuous motor tasks learning among novices. Methods: Eighteen right-handed students (age 24.66 ± 1.35 years) were randomly divided in two groups (7 males and 2 females each) of good trial and poor trials. All participants completed 11 blocks of 6 trials for a total of 66 practice trials in line-tracking task. After each block of 6 trials, participants in the "feedback after good trials" group received feedback on their 3 best trials in that block, whereas those in the "feedback after poor trials" group received feedback on their 3 poorest trials in the block. The practice was conducted in a day and a retention test was administered after 48 hours. Results: Our findings showed that feedback after good trials versus poor trials is significantly better for learning continuous motor tasks and performance (p < .05). Conclusions: The findings of the present study highlight the motivational role of feedback in learning and performance of a continuous motor task.

Keywords

• knowledge of results
• good trials
• poor trials
• motivational feedback