Exploring the connection between action capacity and skill in baseball, the concept of affordances in training, how affordances in the environment can conflict with practice design, the influence of physical environment and sensory information on affordances, analyzing the force behind Rampage's punch, the relationship between action capacity and skill development, and the importance of connecting action capacity with practice design.
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Quick takeaways
Action capacity and skills are interconnected and should be developed together to enhance performance.
Training to increase action capacity should involve variability, overload, and perturbations.
Action capacities can be developed within the skill itself by using appropriate constraints.
Deep dives
The Difference Between Action Capacity and Skill
Action capacity refers to physical or psychological abilities that influence the field of affordances for a given task, while skills involve using information from the environment to find and execute a movement solution. Increasing action capacity can lead to more invitations or opportunities for action. Developing action capacities should focus on principles of force and speed generation rather than an ideal technique.
Linking Action Capacity and Affordance
Action capacities and affordances are interconnected. Increases in action capacity can lead to more affordances, such as waiting longer to start a movement or hitting with more force. However, athletes need to accept and execute these new invitations, which requires practice design that aligns with and supports the developed action capacity.
Training to Increase Action Capacity
Training to increase action capacity should involve variability, overload, and perturbations that challenge stability and promote adaptability. In baseball, using weighted balls or long toss can help develop action capacities, but it's important to focus on adaptability and functional variability rather than simple, progressive increases in capacity.
Developing Action Capacity Within the Skill
Action capacities can also be developed within the skill itself by using appropriate constraints. For example, hitting with a weighted bat or incorporating additional tasks like hitting over hurdles or with a pool noodle can enhance specific action capacities. The focus should be on adaptability, self-organization, and functional variability.
Negative Affordances and Injury
Negative affordances, such as pain or potential for re-injury, are also part of the affordance landscape. Athletes need to explore and adapt to these negative affordances when recovering from injuries or dealing with pain. Learning to move effectively with a new body or constraints is essential for skill development.