Task difficulty promotes tactical learning but supresses the positive learning effects of autonomy and cognitive effort

Bright, D., Smith, J., Kearney, P. E. and Runswick, O. R. (2025) Task difficulty promotes tactical learning but supresses the positive learning effects of autonomy and cognitive effort. Human Movement Science, 101. pp. 1-15. ISSN 0167-9457

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Abstract

Learning conditions that provide task-relevant autonomy, and those that encourage cognitive
effort through manipulations of difficulty, have been reported to enhance skill development.
However, research is yet to directly compare these two manipulations to establish their relative
contribution to enhancing motor learning. This study used an on-screen target interception task to compare an autonomous group (self-selection of racquet size), a Challenge Point group (performance-contingent racquet size), a yoked group, and a fixed racquet size control group. Task accuracy and self-report measures of intrinsic motivation and cognitive effort were recorded at multiple time points across acquisition and at immediate, 24-h, seven-day, and 30-day retention and transfer tests. Results showed that task accuracy improved over acquisition, and remained robust across all retention tests, but no between group differences were seen. Intrinsic motivation levels decreased over acquisition, but with no between group differences observed. Participants (83, mean age 40(±12) years, 50 % male) within all groups reported consistently high cognitive effort scores, and made tactical learning choices, suggesting that high task difficulty may have suppressed the more subtle effects of autonomy and performance contingent practice. Conclusions are made regarding the variability of individual approaches to a novel task and the need to build experiments that can detect these idiosyncrasies.

Publication Type: Articles
Uncontrolled Keywords: motor learning, challenge point, OPTIMAL theory
Subjects: B Philosophy. Psychology. Religion > BF Psychology
G Geography. Anthropology. Recreation > GV Recreation Leisure > GV201 Physical education and training
G Geography. Anthropology. Recreation > GV Recreation Leisure > GV557 Sports
G Geography. Anthropology. Recreation > GV Recreation Leisure > GV557 Sports > GV711 Coaching
Q Science > Q Science (General)
R Medicine > RC Internal medicine > RC0321 Neuroscience. Biological psychiatry. Neuropsychiatry
Divisions: Academic Areas > Institute of Sport
Academic Areas > Institute of Sport > Area > Sport and Exercise Psychology and Research Methods
Academic Areas > Institute of Sport > Area > Sports Coaching
Research Entities > Centre for Health and Allied Sport and Exercise Science Research (CHASER)
Depositing User: Dave Bright
Date Deposited: 30 Apr 2025 10:12
Last Modified: 30 Apr 2025 10:12
URI: https://eprints.chi.ac.uk/id/eprint/8069

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