1
|
Choo L, Novak A, Impellizzeri FM, Porter C, Fransen J. Skill acquisition interventions for the learning of sports-related skills: A scoping review of randomised controlled trials. PSYCHOLOGY OF SPORT AND EXERCISE 2024; 72:102615. [PMID: 38401870 DOI: 10.1016/j.psychsport.2024.102615] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/06/2023] [Revised: 02/08/2024] [Accepted: 02/20/2024] [Indexed: 02/26/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Skill acquisition science is the study of how motor skills are acquired, developed and/or learned. There is substantive evidence for general motor skill acquisition in controlled laboratory settings yet the literature on the learning of sports-related skills is typically less conclusive. OBJECTIVES This scoping review aimed to summarise the current literature on skill acquisition intervention studies examining the learning of sports-related skills as part of a randomised controlled trial, by synthesizing and extracting the most relevant features. METHODS Four electronic databases (PsychINFO, PubMed, SPORTDiscus and Web of Science) were searched for relevant studies. The sample characteristics of these studies were extracted, and summarised. Two systematic searches of the literature were conducted. In the first search, eighty-six studies were retained. A second search was conducted in July 2022 to include new studies and specifically focused on the inclusion of within-subject design studies, resulting in the inclusion of 35 additional studies. A third search was conducted in May 2023 to include new studies resulting in the inclusion of 10 additional studies. RESULTS One hundred and thirty studies across 29 sports were included in the review. The vast majority of the studies in this scoping review (n = 104) examined the learning of a sport-related skill in participants with no experience. Twenty-eight percent of all retained studies (n = 35) considered only the learning of a golf skill, and all studies were practiced in a laboratory environment, examining closed motor skills (n = 130). The most common intervention categories reported were attention (n = 22), instruction and demonstration (n = 20), practice design (n = 20), and perceptual training (n = 19). Nearly half of all studies used an immediate retention test within 48 h of the cessation of practice (n = 63), and just over one quarter of studies (n = 34) reported incorporating some form of transfer test. Eighty-six percent (n = 112) reported positive findings. CONCLUSIONS The skewed focus on golf skills across a small number of skill acquisition interventions, the inconsistent use and reporting of performance measures, practice durations and measures of learning alongside the relatively small sample sizes consisting mostly of inexperienced learners and the skewed publication of positive findings should warrant caution. More empirical studies across a broader range of sports and with more consistent methodologies are needed to develop a robust pool of literature that can support academics and practitioners interested in which skill acquisition interventions could be used to influence the learning of sports-related skills.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Leanne Choo
- Human Performance Research Centre, School of Sport, Exercise and Rehabilitation, Faculty of Health, University of Technology Sydney, Moore Park, Australia
| | - Andrew Novak
- Human Performance Research Centre, School of Sport, Exercise and Rehabilitation, Faculty of Health, University of Technology Sydney, Moore Park, Australia
| | - Franco M Impellizzeri
- Human Performance Research Centre, School of Sport, Exercise and Rehabilitation, Faculty of Health, University of Technology Sydney, Moore Park, Australia
| | - Courtney Porter
- School of Exercise and Nutrition Sciences, Faculty of Health, Queensland University of Technology, Brisbane, Australia; Sport Performance Innovation and Knowledge Excellence, Queensland Academy of Sport, Brisbane, Australia
| | - Job Fransen
- Human Movement Sciences, University Medical Centre Groningen, Groningen, the Netherlands; School of Allied Health, Exercise and Sports Sciences, Charles Sturt University, Port Macquarie, Australia.
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
van der Veer IPA, Rameckers EAA, Steenbergen B, Bastiaenen CHG, Klingels K. How do paediatric physical therapists teach motor skills to children with Developmental Coordination Disorder? An interview study. PLoS One 2024; 19:e0297119. [PMID: 38300942 PMCID: PMC10833570 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0297119] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/18/2022] [Accepted: 12/27/2023] [Indexed: 02/03/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND When teaching motor skills, paediatric physical therapists (PPTs) use various motor learning strategies (MLSs), adapting these to suit the individual child and the task being practised. Knowledge about the clinical decision-making process of PPTs in choosing and adapting MLSs when treating children with Developmental Coordination Disorder (DCD) is currently lacking. Therefore, this qualitative study aimed to explore PPTs' use of MLSs when teaching motor skills to children with DCD. METHODS Semi-structured individual and group interviews were conducted with PPTs with a wide range of experience in treating children with DCD. A conventional content analysis approach was used where all transcripts were open-coded by two reviewers independently. Categories and themes were discussed within the research group. Data were collected until saturation was reached. RESULTS Twenty-six PPTs (median age: 49 years; range: 26-66) participated in 12 individual interviews and two focus-group interviews. Six themes were identified: (1) PPTs treated children in a tailor-made way; (2) PPTs' teaching style was either more indirect or direct; (3) PPTs used various strategies to improve children's motivation; (4) PPTs had reached the optimal level of practice when children were challenged; (5) PPTs gave special attention to automatization and transfer during treatment; and (6) PPTs considered task complexity when choosing MLSs, which appeared determined by task constraints, environmental demands, child and therapist characteristics. CONCLUSION PPTs' clinical decision-making processes in choosing MLSs appeared strongly influenced by therapist characteristics like knowledge and experience, resulting in large variation in the use of MLSs and teaching styles to enhance motivation, automatization, and transfer. This study indicates the importance of the level of education on using MLSs to teach children motor skills, and clinical decision-making. Future research should focus on implementing this knowledge into daily practice.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Ingrid P. A. van der Veer
- Rehabilitation Research Centre—REVAL, Faculty of Rehabilitation Sciences, Hasselt University, Hasselt, Belgium
| | - Eugene A. A. Rameckers
- Rehabilitation Research Centre—REVAL, Faculty of Rehabilitation Sciences, Hasselt University, Hasselt, Belgium
- Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, Functioning, Participation & Rehabilitation Research Line, Research School CAPHRI, Maastricht University, Maastricht, The Netherlands
- Centre of Expertise, Adelante Rehabilitation Centre, Valkenburg, The Netherlands
| | - Bert Steenbergen
- Behavioural Science Institute, Radboud University, Nijmegen, The Netherlands
| | - Caroline H. G. Bastiaenen
- Department of Epidemiology, Functioning, Participation & Rehabilitation Research Line, Research School CAPHRI, Maastricht University, Maastricht, The Netherlands
| | - Katrijn Klingels
- Rehabilitation Research Centre—REVAL, Faculty of Rehabilitation Sciences, Hasselt University, Hasselt, Belgium
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
Holloway JM, Tomlinson SM, Hardwick DD. Strategies to Support Learning of Gross Motor Tasks in Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder: A Scoping Review. Phys Occup Ther Pediatr 2023; 43:17-33. [PMID: 35538730 DOI: 10.1080/01942638.2022.2073800] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Abstract
AIMS Children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) display motor difficulties that may impact social and communication interactions and participation in everyday activities. These difficulties may be related to a difference in the way they learn new skills. Therefore, strategies to support motor learning to optimize skill acquisition and retention may be beneficial. This scoping review described current motor learning strategies used to optimize acquisition, retention, transfer, and generalizability of motor tasks in children with ASD. METHODS Three databases were searched from inception through 2021. Studies were included if they involved participants with ASD ≤ 18 years old, evaluated learning of a novel gross motor task, manipulated a motor learning variable, and were written in English. RESULTS Twenty-two articles met eligibility criteria. Most articles examined strategies that manipulated the instruction of task, with few articles examining feedback or practice. Skill acquisition was the most represented motor learning outcome, with fewer studies examining retention, transfer, or generalizability. CONCLUSIONS Positive results in 95% of the articles suggest that the use of support strategies to optimize motor learning is feasible and beneficial for children with ASD, and that modifications to instruction, feedback, and practice schedules should be considered in motor interventions.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Jamie M Holloway
- School of Physical Therapy & Rehabilitation Sciences, Morsani College of Medicine, University of South Florida, FL
| | | | - Dustin D Hardwick
- School of Physical Therapy & Rehabilitation Sciences, Morsani College of Medicine, University of South Florida, FL
| |
Collapse
|
4
|
Graser JV, Bastiaenen CHG, Gut A, Keller U, van Hedel HJA. Contextual interference in children with brain lesions: a pilot study investigating blocked vs. random practice order of an upper limb robotic exergame. Pilot Feasibility Stud 2021; 7:135. [PMID: 34172085 PMCID: PMC8228977 DOI: 10.1186/s40814-021-00866-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/20/2020] [Accepted: 06/03/2021] [Indexed: 11/30/2022] Open
Abstract
Introduction Evidence about contextual interference in children with brain lesions when practising motor tasks is lacking. Our main objective was to evaluate the feasibility of a randomised controlled trial (RCT) comparing blocked with random practice order of an upper limb robotic exergame to improve reaching in children with neuromotor disorders with a pilot trial. Methods We recruited children with brain lesions and impaired upper limb functions who underwent a 3-week schedule that consisted of baseline assessments, intervention period (participants were randomised to a blocked or random order group), and follow-up assessment. We evaluated ten feasibility criteria, including the practicability of the inclusion/exclusion criteria, recruitment rate, feasibility of randomisation, scheduling procedure, and the participants’ programme adherence. Results The inclusion/exclusion criteria were not completely feasible as patients who were not able to perform the exergames were included. Twelve participants were recruited, and six datasets were used for analysis. The scheduling and randomisation procedures were generally feasible, but the procedure was only partially feasible for the participants, as some sessions were aborted due to lack of motivation and fatigue. Conclusion An RCT following this study protocol is not feasible. We formulated suggestions for future studies that aim to investigate contextual interference as in this pilot study. Trial registration ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT02443857, registered on May 14, 2015 Supplementary Information The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s40814-021-00866-4.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Judith V Graser
- Research Department, Swiss Children's Rehab, University Children's Hospital Zurich, Mühlebergstrasse 104, 8910, Affoltern am Albis, Switzerland. .,Children's Research Centre CRC, University Children's Hospital Zurich, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland. .,Research Group Function, Participation and Rehabilitation CAPHRI, Department of Epidemiology, Maastricht University, Maastricht, the Netherlands.
| | - Caroline H G Bastiaenen
- Research Group Function, Participation and Rehabilitation CAPHRI, Department of Epidemiology, Maastricht University, Maastricht, the Netherlands
| | - Anja Gut
- Research Department, Swiss Children's Rehab, University Children's Hospital Zurich, Mühlebergstrasse 104, 8910, Affoltern am Albis, Switzerland.,Children's Research Centre CRC, University Children's Hospital Zurich, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Urs Keller
- Research Department, Swiss Children's Rehab, University Children's Hospital Zurich, Mühlebergstrasse 104, 8910, Affoltern am Albis, Switzerland.,Children's Research Centre CRC, University Children's Hospital Zurich, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Hubertus J A van Hedel
- Research Department, Swiss Children's Rehab, University Children's Hospital Zurich, Mühlebergstrasse 104, 8910, Affoltern am Albis, Switzerland.,Children's Research Centre CRC, University Children's Hospital Zurich, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
| |
Collapse
|
5
|
Manzanares A, Camblor Á, Romero-Arenas S, Segado F, Gil-Arias A. Effect of a semi-immersive virtual reality navigation therapy on quality of life in persons with spinal cord injury. Disabil Rehabil Assist Technol 2021; 18:1-6. [PMID: 33843410 DOI: 10.1080/17483107.2021.1913520] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/07/2020] [Revised: 03/25/2021] [Accepted: 04/02/2021] [Indexed: 10/21/2022]
Abstract
PURPOSE This study aims to develop a sailing simulation-based therapeutic rehabilitation program for individuals with Spinal Cord Injuries (SCI) during the subacute phase of the injury. METHODS Participants were 11 patients, aged between 20-56 years (Mage = 42.36, SDage=12.90), who were randomly assigned into experimental group and control group, within a pre-test/post-test quasi-experimental design. While both groups followed the rehabilitation programmed by the hospital, experimental group participants were enrolled in an interactive rehabilitation exercise (The vSail-Access®, Virtual Sailing Pty Ltd). For this intervention, each subject underwent a semi-immersive Virtual Reality (VR) navigation therapy for 30-40 min per day, three times per week for six weeks. Quality of life (QoL), functionality and balance variables were measured for both groups one week before and after the intervention. Data was generated based on patients' responses using validated questionnaires and tests. A 2 (groups) × 2 (test-time) MANOVA was performed to detect between-group and within-group differences. RESULTS Significant improvements were obtained in the experimental group in the mobility and balance variables, and in the global result of QoL. CONCLUSIONS The sailing simulation program, included as a therapy within the rehabilitation process after a SCI, provides participants with an overall increase in QoL and functionality.IMPLICATIONS FOR REHABILIATIONVirtual reality is a therapy that can be part of the rehabilitation process of spinal cord injuries in the acute phase, improving functional capacity.The initiation to recreational sailing in a virtual way is a safe tool for the initiation to the practice of sports.The practice of a dynamic sport, such as sailing, helps to improve the quality of life in spinal cord injuries.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Aarón Manzanares
- Faculty of Sport, Catholic University of San Antonio (UCAM), Murcia, Spain
| | - Ángel Camblor
- Faculty of Sport, Catholic University of San Antonio (UCAM), Murcia, Spain
| | - Salvador Romero-Arenas
- Faculty of Sport, Catholic University of San Antonio (UCAM), Murcia, Spain
- Neuroscience of Human Movement Research Group (Neuromove), UCAM, Murcia, Spain
| | - Francisco Segado
- Faculty of Sport, Catholic University of San Antonio (UCAM), Murcia, Spain
| | - Alexander Gil-Arias
- Centre for Sport Studies, Rey Juan Carlos University, Fuenlabrada (Madrid), Spain
| |
Collapse
|
6
|
Nachmani H, Paran I, Salti M, Shelef I, Melzer I. Examining Different Motor Learning Paradigms for Improving Balance Recovery Abilities Among Older Adults, Random vs. Block Training-Study Protocol of a Randomized Non-inferiority Controlled Trial. Front Hum Neurosci 2021; 15:624492. [PMID: 33716695 PMCID: PMC7947922 DOI: 10.3389/fnhum.2021.624492] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/03/2020] [Accepted: 01/14/2021] [Indexed: 12/01/2022] Open
Abstract
Introduction: Falls are the leading cause of fatal and nonfatal injuries among older adults. Studies showed that older adults can reduce the risk of falls after participation in an unexpected perturbation-based balance training (PBBT), a relatively novel approach that challenged reactive balance control. This study aims to investigate the effect of the practice schedule (i.e., contextual interference) on reactive balance function and its transfer to proactive balance function (i.e., voluntary step execution test and Berg balance test). Our primary hypothesis is that improvements in reactive balance control following block PBBT will be not inferior to the improvements following random PBBT. Methods and Analysis: This is a double-blind randomized controlled trial. Fifty community-dwelling older adults (over 70 years) will be recruited and randomly allocated to a random PBBT group (n = 25) or a block PBBT group (n = 25). The random PBBT group will receive eight training sessions over 4 weeks that include unexpected machine-induced perturbations of balance during hands-free treadmill walking. The block PBBT group will be trained by the same perturbation treadmill system, but only one direction will be trained in each training session, and the direction of the external perturbations will be announced. Both PBBT groups (random PBBT and block PBBT) will receive a similar perturbation intensity during training (which will be customized to participant’s abilities), the same training period, and the same concurrent cognitive tasks during training. The generalization and transfer of learning effects will be measured by assessing the reactive and proactive balance control during standing and walking before and after 1 month of PBBT, for example, step and multiple steps and fall thresholds, Berg balance test, and fear of falls. The dependent variable will be rank transformed prior to conducting the analysis of covariance (ANCOVA) to allow for nonparametric analysis. Discussion: This research will explore which of the balance retraining paradigms is more effective to improve reactive balance and proactive balance control in older adults (random PBBT vs. block PBBT) over 1 month. The research will address key issues concerning balance retraining: older adults’ neuromotor capacities to optimize training responses and their applicability to real-life challenges. Clinical Trial Registration: Helsinki research ethics approval has been received (Soroka Medical Center approval #0396-16-SOR; MOH_2018-07-22_003536; www.ClinicalTrials.gov, NCT04455607).
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Hadas Nachmani
- Department of Physical Therapy, Faculty of Health Sciences, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, Beer-Sheva, Israel
| | - Inbal Paran
- Department of Physical Therapy, Faculty of Health Sciences, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, Beer-Sheva, Israel.,Brain Research Imaging Center, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, Beer-Sheva, Israel
| | - Moti Salti
- Brain Research Imaging Center, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, Beer-Sheva, Israel
| | - Ilan Shelef
- Diagnostic Imaging Department, Soroka University Medical Center, Beer-Sheva, Israel
| | - Itshak Melzer
- Department of Physical Therapy, Faculty of Health Sciences, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, Beer-Sheva, Israel
| |
Collapse
|
7
|
Graser JV, Bastiaenen CHG, Keller U, van Hedel HJA. Contextual interference in children with brain lesions: protocol of a pilot study investigating blocked vs. random practice order of an upper limb robotic exergame. Pilot Feasibility Stud 2020; 6:156. [PMID: 33072397 PMCID: PMC7560185 DOI: 10.1186/s40814-020-00694-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/19/2019] [Accepted: 09/24/2020] [Indexed: 11/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Background If adults practice several motor tasks together, random practice leads to better transfer and retention compared to blocked practice. Knowledge about this contextual interference (CI) effect could be valuable to improve neurorehabilitation of children. We present the protocol of a randomised controlled pilot study investigating the feasibility of blocked practice vs. random practice of robot-assisted upper limb reaching in children with brain lesions undergoing neurorehabilitation. Methods Children with affected upper limb function due to congenital or acquired brain lesions undergoing neurorehabilitation will be recruited for a randomised controlled pilot study with a 3-week procedure. In the control week (1), two assessment blocks (robot-assisted reaching tasks, Melbourne assessment 2, subscale fluency), 2 days apart, take place. In the practice week (2), participants are randomly allocated to blocked practice or random practice and perform 480 reaching and backward movements in the horizontal and vertical plane using exergaming with an exoskeleton robot per day during three consecutive days. Assessments are performed before, directly after and 1 day after the practice sessions. In the follow-up week (3), participants perform the assessments 1 week after the final practice session. The primary outcome is the immediate transfer of the Melbourne Assessment 2, subscale fluency. Secondary outcomes are the immediate retention, 1-day and 1-week delayed transfer and retention and acquisition during the practice sessions. We will evaluate the feasibility of the inclusion criteria, the recruitment rate, the scheduling procedure, the randomisation procedure, the procedure for the participants, the handling of the robot, the handling of the amount of data, the choice of the outcome measures and the influence of other therapies. Furthermore, we will perform a power calculation using the data to estimate the sample size for the main trial. Discussion The protocol of the pilot study is a first step towards a future main randomised controlled trial. This low risk pilot study might induce some benefits for the participants. However, we need to place its results into perspective, especially concerning the generalisability, as it remains questionable whether improving reaching constrained within a robotic device will ameliorate daily life reaching tasks. Trial registration ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT02443857
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Judith V Graser
- Research Department, Swiss Children's Rehab, University Children's Hospital Zurich, Mühlebergstrasse 104, 8910 Affoltern am Albis, Switzerland.,Children's Research Centre CRC, University Children's Hospital, Zurich, Switzerland.,Research Group Function, Participation and Rehabilitation CAPHRI, Department of Epidemiology, Maastricht University, Maastricht, The Netherlands
| | - Caroline H G Bastiaenen
- Research Group Function, Participation and Rehabilitation CAPHRI, Department of Epidemiology, Maastricht University, Maastricht, The Netherlands
| | - Urs Keller
- Research Department, Swiss Children's Rehab, University Children's Hospital Zurich, Mühlebergstrasse 104, 8910 Affoltern am Albis, Switzerland.,Children's Research Centre CRC, University Children's Hospital, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Hubertus J A van Hedel
- Research Department, Swiss Children's Rehab, University Children's Hospital Zurich, Mühlebergstrasse 104, 8910 Affoltern am Albis, Switzerland.,Children's Research Centre CRC, University Children's Hospital, Zurich, Switzerland
| |
Collapse
|