Contextual Interference in Learning New Patterns of Bimanual Coordination

MSL research field: 
Skill acquisition
TitleContextual Interference in Learning New Patterns of Bimanual Coordination
Publication TypeJournal Article
Year of Publication1998
AuthorsTsutsui, S, Lee, TD, Hodges, NJ
JournalJournal of Motor Behavior
Volume30
Issue2
Pagination151 - 157
Date Published6/1998
ISSN0022-2895
Abstract

Two experiments are reported in which the question of whether or not contextual interference effects are found in motor tasks that require the acquisition of new coordination patterns was examined. Participants (N = 18, Experiment 1; N = 12, Experiment 2) practiced 3 novel bimanual patterns (45 degrees , 90 degrees , and 135 degrees relative phase) in either a random or a blocked order. No statistically significant acquisition or retention differences between groups were found when all 3 patterns were practiced on each of 2 days (Experiment 1). When the blocked group practiced 1 pattern on each of 3 acquisition days (Experiment 2), however, typical contextual interference effects were found: The blocked group performed better than the random group in practice, but the random group performed better than the blocked group in a delayed (by I week) retention test. The experiments revealed that contextual interference effects can arise in motor tasks that require the acquisition of new coordination patterns and are not limited to tasks involving novel scaling of a previously existing pattern.

DOI10.1080/00222899809601332
Short TitleJ. of Motor BehaviorVJMB
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