The effect of consistent and varied follow-through practice schedules on learning a table tennis backhand

North, J. S., Bezodis, N. E., Murphy, C. P., Runswick, O. R., Pocock, C. and Roca, A. (2018) The effect of consistent and varied follow-through practice schedules on learning a table tennis backhand. Journal of Sports Sciences. pp. 1-8. ISSN 0264-0414

[thumbnail of This is an Accepted Manuscript of an article accepted by Taylor & Francis in Journal of Sports Sciences on 6 Sept 2018, available online https://www.tandfonline.com/10.1080/02640414.2018.1522683] Text (This is an Accepted Manuscript of an article accepted by Taylor & Francis in Journal of Sports Sciences on 6 Sept 2018, available online https://www.tandfonline.com/10.1080/02640414.2018.1522683)
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Abstract

In table tennis the follow-through action after a shot is an important part of skill execution. In this experiment, we aimed to extend literature around the contextual interference effect by investigating whether the way the follow-through is organised in practice affects learning of the backhand shot in table tennis. Thirty unskilled participants were allocated to blocked-variable practice, random-variable practice or a control-constant group and aimed backhand shots towards a target following ball projection from a machine. Each group completed these shots in a pre-test, a training phase with follow-through manipulations, a post-test, and a retention test. The random-variable group improved their shot accuracy from pre-test to post-test and from pre-test to retention test (both P < 0.01, d = 1.03), whereas neither the blocked-variable nor the control-constant group displayed any change in shot accuracy. Practising the follow-through in a random-variable fashion enhanced learning of the preceding shot compared with blocked-variable practice or no follow-through instructions. The benefits of learning motor skills under conditions of high contextual interference also apply to how follow-through actions are organised. The findings are of value to coaches and suggest that instructions related to the follow-through action should be considered as well as the primary skill itself.

Publication Type: Articles
Uncontrolled Keywords: Physical Therapy, Sports Therapy and Rehabilitation, Orthopedics and Sports Medicine
Subjects: B Philosophy. Psychology. Religion > BF Psychology
G Geography. Anthropology. Recreation > GV Recreation Leisure > GV557 Sports
G Geography. Anthropology. Recreation > GV Recreation Leisure > GV557 Sports > GV711 Coaching
Divisions: Research Entities > CCASES
Academic Areas > Institute of Sport > Area > Exercise Physiology
Related URLs:
Depositing User: Oliver Runswick
Date Deposited: 12 Sep 2018 09:32
Last Modified: 13 Oct 2019 00:10
URI: https://eprints.chi.ac.uk/id/eprint/3653

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