The Effects of Practice Variability and Attention on Sport Skill Learning

Abstract

This study examined the effects of practice scheduling and attentional focus on learning a sport skill. 40 female high school students (mean age = 16.02 ± 0.88 years) practiced dart-throwing skill under either blocked or random practice schedules while their attention was directed to either the skill (dart scores) or an irrelevant cue (auditory tones) using dual-tasks. Analysis of variance were conducted at baseline, practice phase and a delayed transfer test. Results demonstrated a significant score improvement from baseline to delayed transfer test for all groups. Furthermore, the greatest improvement from baseline to delayed transfer test was observed in random-irrelevant condition compared with the other conditions. In conclusion, the current study provided new information about the interactive relationship between practice scheduling and attentional focus during learning a sport skill.

Keywords

• contextual interference
• dart throwing
• dual-tasks
• focus of attention
• practice scheduling