Comparison of specific, variable/blocked, and variable/random practice schedules for the retention and transfer performance of college males in a basketball jump-shooting task
Abstract
College males (N = 22, mean age = 21.3) were randomly
assigned into 3 groups (SP, VB, VR) and practiced under
specific, variableJblocked, and variableJrandom schedules
respectively, performing 5 sets of 45 jump-shots for each
set (total a 225). TWO posttests were given, 1 for
retention performance from a prepracticed position, and 1
for transfer performance from a new position. Each posttest
consisted of 45 shots. Two ANCOVAs, with day 1 practice
percentage being the covariate were calculated for the
detection of treatment effect during retention and transfer
among the groups. An LSM post-hoc test was employed
subsequently to determine differences between pairs of
groups for percentage of successful shots. Level of
significance was set at (p < .05) for all tests. No
differences among the groups were found during retention
(p = .61). Difference was detected during transfer, with
the VR group performing better than the VB group (p = . 0 2 ) .
The results indicated no superiority sf variable over
specific practice schedules for both retention and transfer.
Also, it appeared that VR schedules were more effective than
VB schedules for performance from a novel position.
Subject
Transfer of training
Motor learning
Basketball - Training