Physical Assistance Devices in Complex Motor Skill Learning: Benefits of a Self-Controlled Practice Schedule
Abstract
This study examines the effects of a self-controlled use of physical assistance devices on learning a complex motor skill (i.e., producing slalom-type movements on a ski simulator). Physical assistance was provided by ski poles. One group of learners (self-control) was provided with the poles whenever they requested them, whereas another (yoked) group had no influence on the pole/no-pole schedule. While there were no group differences during the practice phase (Days 1 and 2), clear group differences emerged in the retention test without poles (Day 3). The self-control group produced significantly larger amplitudes than the yoked group. These results extend previous findings by showing learning advantages of the self-controlled use of physical assistance devices in complex motor skill learning.
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In a ski-simulator task, participants who could decide on which trials to use poles showed more effective learning on a retention test without poles than yoked counterparts.
“For example, in one study participants practiced a ski-simulator task and had, or did not have, the opportunity to decide on which trials to use poles that were placed on the floor to help them maintain their balance (Wulf & Toole).The participants in the self-controlled group showed more effective learning, as measured by performance on a retention test without the poles, than did their yoked”
From Optimizing performance through intrinsic motivation and attention for learning: The OPTIMAL theory of motor learning (2016) · cites this paper as Wulf & Toole, 1999
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References 32 · Cited by 199
- Authors
- Wulf, G., & Toole, T.
- Affiliations
- Max Planck Society (DE)
- Florida State University (US)
- ORCID
- Wulf, Gabriele
- Venue
- Research Quarterly for Exercise and Sport
- Publisher
- Informa UK Limited
- Published
- 1999-09
- Volume
- 70
- Issue
- 3
- Pages
- 265-272
- ISSN
- 0034-5377 (ISSN-L)
- 0270-1367
- 2168-3824
- OpenAlex
- W2073908631
- Cited by
- 199
- References
- 32
- Citations by year
- 2026: 2 · 2025: 1 · 2024: 6 · 2023: 1 · 2022: 7 · 2021: 4 · 2020: 12 · 2019: 11 · 2018: 8 · 2017: 8 · 2016: 5 · 2015: 10 · 2014: 10 · 2013: 18 · 2012: 16
- FWCI
- 1.67
- Type
- journal article
- Language
- en
- Open access
- closed
- Locations
- Research Quarterly for Exercise and Sport (publishedVersion)
- PubMed (publishedVersion)
- Max Planck Institute for Plasma Physics (submittedVersion)
- Max Planck Digital Library (submittedVersion)
- MPG.PuRe (Max Planck Society) (submittedVersion)
- Topics
- Life Sciences › Neuroscience › Cognitive Neuroscience › Motor Control and Adaptation
- Health Sciences › Health Professions › Physical Therapy, Sports Therapy and Rehabilitation › Sports and Physical Education Research
- Social Sciences › Psychology › Developmental and Educational Psychology › Sport Psychology and Performance
- Keywords
- ski poles, ski simulator, retention, yoked control, motor skill learning
- MeSH terms
- Humans, Learning, Motor Skills, Retention, Psychology, Self-Help Devices, Skiing
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