The effect of self-control feedback on the learning of generalized motor program and parameters during physical and observational practice

The purpose of this study was to examine the effect of self-control feedback on the learning of generalized motor program and parameters during physical and observational practice. Participants (n=90) were randomly assigned to physical and observational practice (self-control, yoked and instructor KR) groups. They practiced a sequential timing task. The task required participants to press four keys (2, 6, 8, and 4).They performed 72 trials during the acquisition phase and 12 in retention and transfer phase. The analyses demonstrated that during the acquisition phase, relative timing errors were lower for the self-control and instructor groups. During the retention and transfer phase, relative timing errors were lower for the self-control groups and instructor groups. This might explain self-control feedback and physical practice develop the generalized motor program but not parameter learning and support the theoretical separation of GMP and parameter processes.