title: An especial skill: Support for a learned parameters hypothesis.
abstract: We tested the 'learned parameters' hypothesis as an explanation of the 'especial skill effect'. Outcome attainment and movement kinematics were recorded for 10 expert and 10 novice players performing basketball free-throw shots at five distances (11-19 ft) with a regular and heavy weight basketball. As predicted, experts performed better than expected relative to the regression equation at the 15 ft, free-throw line with the regular basketball, supporting the 'especial skill effect'. This effect was not present for the experts when shooting with the heavy ball. Novices did not show an advantage at the free-throw line when performing with either ball. Although the outcome attainment scores support the 'learned parameters' hypotheses, kinematic analysis failed to identify differences in the movement pattern for the especial skill, suggesting that these skills (i.e., shooting at different distances) are not governed by separate motor programs.
authors.affiliation: Sport and Exercise Science Research Institute, University of Ulster, Jordanstown Campus, Newtownabbey Co. Antrim, Northern Ireland, UK. g.breslin1@ulster.ac.uk
authors.forename: Gavin
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Breslin
authors.forename: Nicola J
authors.initials: NJ
authors.lastname: Hodges
authors.forename: Rodney
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Kennedy
authors.forename: Michael
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Hanlon
authors.forename: A Mark
authors.initials: AM
authors.lastname: Williams
mesh_terms: D054874:Athletic Performance; D001490:Basketball / Q000523:psychology*; D001696:Biomechanical Phenomena; D004215:Distance Perception; D006801:Humans; D007091:Image Processing, Computer-Assisted; D008297:Male; D009949:Orientation; D011214:Practice, Psychological; D011582:Psychological Theory; D012984:Software; D014163:Transfer, Psychology; D014892:Weight Perception; D055815:Young Adult