The constant-random practice and the adaptive process of motor learning: effects of constant practice amount

Abstract

The objective of this work was to investigate the effects of different amount of constant practice, prior to random practice, on the adaptive process of motor learning with manipulation of motor and perceptive requirements of the task. Thirty-three children aged between 10 and 12 of both genders. The task consisted of pressing five buttons sequentially in coincidence with a visual stimulus. The design evolved three groups of different amounts of constant practice, and two phases (i.e. stabilization and adaptation). Different movement patterns and speeds of visual stimulation were performed during the random practice and on perturbation. The dependent variables were the absolute, variable and constant errors, and measures of movement pattern (reaction time, movement time, relative time, peak of force, relative peak of force, touch time, and relative time of touch). The results permitted to conclude that the constant practice prior random practice is more beneficial to adaptive process of motor learning when it is realized up to a criterion of performance. And, that this benefit is progressively reduced with the amount of practice.