title: Self-control of task difficulty during training enhances motor learning of a complex coincidence-anticipation task.
abstract: The aim of the present work was to analyze the influence of self-controlled task difficulty on motor learning. Participants had to intercept three targets falling at different velocities by displacing a stylus above a digitizer Task difficulty corresponded to racquet width. Half the participants (self-control condition) could choose the racquet width at the beginning of each trial. Each was paired with a participant from the yoked group. The self-control condition resulted in better performances and accuracy during immediate and delayed retention tests. These results confirm the advantage of a self-control condition on motor learning. They are discussed with reference to the challenge point hypothesis (Guadagnoli & Lee, 2004).
authors.affiliation: Faculty of Sport and Human Movement Science at the University of Toulouse, France. matandrieux@gmail.com
authors.forename: Mathieu
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Andrieux
authors.forename: Jérémy
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Danna
authors.forename: Bernard
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Thon
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007858:Learning / Q000502:physiology*; D008297:Male; D009048:Motor Skills / Q000502:physiology*; D026684:Personal Autonomy; D010806:Physical Education and Training / Q000379:methods*; D011214:Practice, Psychological; D011597:Psychomotor Performance / Q000502:physiology*; D012153:Retention, Psychology / Q000502:physiology; D055815:Young Adult