The Constraints Collective #52 The ecological dynamics of cognizant action in sport
Jul 14, 2025
Dive into the fascinating interplay between perception and action in sports. Explore how ecological dynamics inform skill acquisition and enhance coaching techniques. Discover the evolving roles in rugby, where speed and agility redefine player strategies. Learn the significance of problem-solving in practice design, empowering athletes to face unexpected challenges. Contrast weak and strong anticipation, revealing how athletes can sharpen their decision-making skills. Finally, embrace the power of adaptability in training to elevate performance.
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Rethinking Knowledge in Sport
- Knowledge in sport varies by psychological perspective: cognitive science sees it as internal information, ecological dynamics views it as perception-based from environmental interaction.
- This shift highlights knowledge as relational, emphasizing the athlete-environment coupling over internal representations.
Retrospectivity vs Prospectivity
- Traditional cognitive psychology focuses on retrospective learning via internal models and memories.
- Ecological dynamics emphasizes the continuous coupling of perception and action in presence, highlighting the environment's role in shaping skilled behaviour.
Designing Information-Rich Practices
- Design learning environments grounded in structured information that supports perception-action coupling.
- Avoid overly decomposed tasks; allow learners to experience game-like complexity to stabilize their skill development.