title: Altering mindset can enhance motor learning in older adults.
abstract: Beliefs about personal capability have been shown to affect performance. Lowered ability expectations due to older age may themselves contribute to a decline in performance. In the present study, we investigated whether enhancing older adults' performance expectancies would facilitate the learning of a novel balance task. In Experiment 1, providing older women (71 years) with fabricated feedback indicating that their performance was above average reduced their ability-related concerns and nervousness, and resulted in more effective balance learning, compared with a control group. In Experiment 2, also involving older women (64 years), a simple statement made at the beginning of practice, suggesting that their peers usually do well on that task, enhanced participants' self-efficacy and learning of the task. These results demonstrate that motor performance and learning in older age can be influenced quickly and positively by enhancing individuals' ability perceptions.
authors: Department of Kinesiology and Nutrition Sciences, University of Nevada, Las Vegas, NV 89154-3034, USA. gabriele.wulf@unlv.edu
authors: Gabriele
authors: G
authors: Wulf
authors: Suzete
authors: S
authors: Chiviacowsky
authors: Rebecca
authors: R
authors: Lewthwaite
mesh_terms: D000367:Age Factors; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000375:Aging / Q000502:physiology / Q000523:psychology*; D000704:Analysis of Variance; D001076:Aptitude; D030141:Feedback, Psychological; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007858:Learning; D008875:Middle Aged; D009048:Motor Skills / Q000502:physiology*; D004856:Postural Balance / Q000502:physiology; D012054:Reinforcement, Psychology; D012153:Retention, Psychology; D020377:Self Efficacy; D012718:Set, Psychology; D013997:Time Factors; D055815:Young Adult