The impact of success criteria in low-error practice conditions on motor learning, self-efficacy, and mood states: A challenge to the optimal theory

Identifying the practice conditions that optimize the learning of motor skills is one of the main objectives in the field of human motor learning research. Present study aimed to explore the effect of success criteria in low-error practice conditions on motor learning, self-efficacy, and mood states among female students. This practical quasi-experimental study was conducted in a field setting. The participants were 30 female students from Yazd University, selected through convenience sampling. After they completed the consent form, the selected participants were randomly divided into three groups: low-error practice with a large target (n= 10), low-error practice with a small target (n= 10), and a low-error control group (n= 10). Then, mixed ANOVA was applied in order to test the hypotheses and data analysis was conducted using SPSS version 23, with a significance level set at P < 0.05. The findings indicate that both the large (P=0.003) and small (P=0.001) target groups significantly outperformed the control group (P=0 .033) regarding the difference in performance accuracy. Moreover, In the small target group, a significant difference was observed only in the happiness subscale considering mood states (P=0.001), while in the large target group, significant differences were found in the tension (P=0 .003), depression (P=0.001), and fatigue subscales (P= 0.001). Regarding self-efficacy, significant differences were observed in the power dimension in both the large (P=0 .001) and small target groups (P=0.003) The use of success criteria in low-error practice methods is beneficial, and it is recommended to adopt this approach to improve accuracy and stability in practice sessions.