How do we know how well a new training program or piece of sports equipment is working?  Is looking at how performance changes in practice (by plotting a "learning curve") really the best way to assess skill acquisition. No, no it isn’t.  In this episode I make the case for going off the learning curve in favor of other ways of measuring skill learning in sport.

Technically Challenged: Review of motion tracking system http://inertia-technology.com/promove-mini

Links to articles discussed:

Contextual interference effects on the acquisition, retention, and transfer of a motor skill

Contextual interference: a meta-analytic study

Practicing Field Hockey Skills Along the Contextual Interference Continuum: A Comparison of Five Practice Schedules

Increased movement accuracy and reduced EMG activity as the result of adopting an external focus of attention 

More information

http://www.perceptionactionpodcast.libsyn.com/

My Research Gate Page (pdfs of my articles)

My ASU Web page

Podcast Facebook page (videos, pics, etc)

Twitter: @Shakeywaits

Email: robgray@asu.edu

Credits:

The Flamin' Groovies - Shake Some Action

Minimal Damage – Learning Curve

Jenny O – Learned My Lessons

Greg Houwer – Slow Learner

Pablo – Learn a Lesson

Golden Blondes – Skilled

Beans & Bullets - Love Machine

 via freemusicarchive.org and jamendo.com