title: Contextual interference effect on perceptual-cognitive skills training.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Contextual interference (CI) effect predicts that a random order of practice for multiple skills is superior for learning compared to a blocked order. We report a novel attempt to examine the CI effect during acquisition and transfer of anticipatory judgments from simulation training to an applied sport situation.
  
  
  METHODS
  Participants were required to anticipate tennis shots under either a random practice schedule or a blocked practice schedule. Response accuracy was recorded for both groups in pretest, during acquisition, and on a 7-d retention test. Transfer of learning was assessed through a field-based tennis protocol that attempted to assess performance in an applied sport setting.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The random practice group had significantly higher response accuracy scores on the 7-d laboratory retention test compared to the blocked group. Moreover, during the transfer of anticipatory judgments to an applied sport situation, the decision times of the random practice group were significantly lower compared to the blocked group.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The CI effect extends to the training of anticipatory judgments through simulation techniques. Furthermore, we demonstrate for the first time that the CI effect increases transfer of learning from simulation training to an applied sport task, highlighting the importance of using appropriate practice schedules during simulation training.
authors.affiliation: 1Research Institute for Sport and Exercise Sciences, Liverpool John Moores University, Liverpool, UNITED KINGDOM; and 2Centre for Sports Medicine and Human Performance, Brunel University, Uxbridge, UNITED KINGDOM.
authors.forename: David P
authors.initials: DP
authors.lastname: Broadbent
authors.forename: Joe
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Causer
authors.forename: Paul R
authors.initials: PR
authors.lastname: Ford
authors.forename: A Mark
authors.initials: AM
authors.lastname: Williams
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D002648:Child; D003071:Cognition / Q000502:physiology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007858:Learning; D008297:Male; D009048:Motor Skills / Q000502:physiology*; D010806:Physical Education and Training / Q000379:methods*; D011214:Practice, Psychological; D011597:Psychomotor Performance; D013715:Tennis / Q000502:physiology*; D014163:Transfer, Psychology