Clinical Pilates in Practice: Choice & Skill Learning

This small study observed the motor learning effects of allowing small choices by individuals.

An, Jongseong, Rebecca Lewthwaite, Seungmin Lee, and Gabriele Wulf. "Choice of practice-task order enhances golf skill learning." Psychology of Sport and Exercise 50 (2020), 101737. doi:10.1016/j.psychsport.2020.101737.

Key Points: Choice Of Practice Order & Skill Learning

• Autonomy is a key motivational factor in the OPTIMAL theory of motor learning.

  → Enhances expectancies for performance.

  → Increases task focus.

  → Enhanced processing of task errors.

  → Greater neuro-cognitive engagement.

• Lack of autonomy can be stressful and therefore negatively impact performance.

  → Stress also takes focus away from task performance.

• In the "choice group", participants selected the order of their practice, which were seemingly small choices.

• Having a choice enhanced learning, compared to the group that did not choose the order of their practice.

• Positive affect and confidence were also higher in the choice group.

• Confidence and positive affect were higher in the choice group as well.

The autonomy-supportive condition, in which learners were able to choose the order of methods, enhanced learning of the task.

• Relatively small choices can facilitate performance and learning.

Clinical Pilates in practice

• Small choices can affect learning and retention, so when designing a rehabilitation program, ask clients which order they want to perform tasks.

• Give choices in studio, and for home exercise programs.

• Don't be constrained by choreography and flow.

• Encourage communication and a sense of autonomy with regards to program design.

References

1. Wulf, G., & Lewthwaite, R. (2016). Optimizing Performance through Intrinsic Motivation and Attention for Learning: The OPTIMAL theory of motor learning. Psychonomic Bulletin & Review, 23, 1382-1414.