The Perception & Action Podcast

Andrew Sheaff, author of a new book on swim coaching, discusses the importance of skills in swimming performance, the use of training aids and constraints to improve technique, the link between breathing and movement in swimming, the significance of planning skill development, and the effectiveness of verbal instruction and cues in swim coaching.

Recent research addresses limitations in the focus of attention literature, exploring the effects of directing attention internally and externally in motor learning and skill acquisition. The podcast discusses the benefits of external focus of attention, critiques of internal focus cues, and introduces two studies that examine the use of different cues and the effectiveness of internal focus cues in training scenarios. The impact of different focus cues on standing long jump performance is also discussed, highlighting how internal cues can lead to shorter jumps. The importance of individualized cues and the need for further research involving coaches and their cues is emphasized.

Rajiv Ranganathan & Andrew Driska discuss the challenges of skill acquisition research, emphasizing the need for settling between theories and considering contextual factors. They explore the limitations of Twitter as a platform for meaningful discourse and the difficulties coaches face in athlete development. The chapter highlights the value of thinking like a researcher, applying findings to the real world, and conducting more contextualized research. They also discuss the benefits of variability in practice and the importance of considering dose manipulations.

Explore the incredible career of Michael Turvey and his contributions to the ecological approach to perception-action. Discover his groundbreaking work in perception-action research, skill acquisition in sports, haptic perception, and motor control. Delve into his ideas on the importance of sticking to principles and clear theories, and reflect on his impact on understanding key concepts in the field.

Exploring the relationship between repetitive loading and elbow injuries in pitchers, including managing load, frequency, and variability. Variability of force and injury in pitchers, with a focus on individual differences in muscle load and activation. The complexity of redundancy and variability in muscle usage, and the importance of understanding individual differences in muscle load magnitude and variability for skill acquisition.

This podcast explores the concept of muscle memory and its role in skill acquisition. It discusses different types of implicit memory and their impact on daily activities and sports. The usefulness of muscle memory in skill acquisition is examined, highlighting its ability to allow individuals to perform actions effortlessly. However, the drawbacks are also discussed, arguing for a more attentive approach to skill development.

Exploring topics of transfer of training from an ecological perspective, specificity in learning and skill acquisition, the role of accurate and specific information in practice, the importance of consequences and pressure in training, comparing traditional drills to small side games in sports training, representative design and action capacity, and understanding representative learning design and skill transfer.

Explore the challenges coaches encounter when implementing ecological dynamics in their training designs. Discover the importance of experienced facilitators in fostering trust and open communication with athletes. Learn how theoretical frameworks can enhance coaching practices while addressing the hurdles of adopting adaptive, exploratory methods. This discussion dives deep into the intersection of theory and practice, offering valuable insights for coaches seeking to support a range of athletic needs.

This podcast explores the art and science behind constraints-based coaching, emphasizing the importance of understanding the logic and rationale behind this method. It discusses the integration of scientific and artistic aspects in coaching, the difference between being adapted and adaptable, and the concept of guided self-organization. The speakers highlight the importance of using specific constraints, an ecological approach, and fostering creativity and collaboration between coaches and athletes.

Explore the use of mental imagery in sports and how it can be aligned with the ecological approach for self-organization and functional movement variability. Discover the application of nonlinear pedagogy principles in motor imagery practice to enhance adaptability and performance outcomes. Learn about the benefits of using mental imagery in sports training and the manipulation of training variables. Find out the results of a study comparing linear and nonlinear pedagogy approaches in sports training, suggesting the potential of individualized movement solutions. Compare the effectiveness of linear and nonlinear pedagogy approaches in using mental imagery for sports, highlighting the benefits of exploration.