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Observational practice benefits are limited to perceptual improvements in the acquisition of a novel coordination skill

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Abstract

There is disagreement about the effectiveness of observational practice for the acquisition of novel coordination skills and the type of processes involved in observation of novel movements. In this study, we examined learning of a bimanual 90° phase offset through comparisons of three groups; physical practice, observational practice and no practice (n = 12/group). Groups were compared before and after practice on perception and production scans of the practised pattern. The observation group was yoked to the physical group such that observers watched repeated demonstrations of a learning model. Although there were no positive effects of observational practice for physical performance measures, the observation group did not differ from the physical practice group and was more accurate than controls on perceptual discrimination measures after practice. We concluded that observation of a novel bimanual movement can aid perception but that physical practice is necessary for immediate physical performance benefits. These results are discussed in terms of cognitive mediation models of motor skill learning.

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Notes

  1. Additional analyses were performed comparing all eight relative phase patterns across the pre- and post-test for AE and SD of relative phase. For AE a group × pattern × test (pre vs. post) effect was observed, F(14,231) = 4.46, P < 0.001, η 2p  = 0.21. Post hoc analysis of this interaction showed that only the physical practice group improved on the 45° and 90° pattern from pre to post-test. No improvements across practice were noted for the observational practice and control groups for any patterns. For SD no groups showed decreased variability for any patterns as a function of practice, despite a significant three-way interaction, F(14,231) = 2.31, P = 0.005, η 2p  = 0.12.

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Acknowledgments

This research was supported by a NSERC (Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada) Discovery grant, awarded to the second author as well as a UBC Faculty of Education Graduate Student Research Grant awarded to the first author. We would also like to recognize Paul Nagelkerke for his technical support.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. School of Human Kinetics, University of British Columbia, War Memorial Gymnasium, 210-6081 University Boulevard, Vancouver, BC, V6T 1Z1, Canada

    Dana Maslovat & Nicola J. Hodges

  2. Department of Psychology, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada

    Olav E. Krigolson & Todd C. Handy

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  1. Dana Maslovat
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  2. Nicola J. Hodges
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  3. Olav E. Krigolson
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  4. Todd C. Handy
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Correspondence to Nicola J. Hodges.

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Maslovat, D., Hodges, N.J., Krigolson, O.E. et al. Observational practice benefits are limited to perceptual improvements in the acquisition of a novel coordination skill. Exp Brain Res 204, 119–130 (2010). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00221-010-2302-7

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