Motor Learning and Performance w/Web Study Guide - 4th Edition: A Situation-Based Learning Approach » (4th Edition)

Richard A. Schmidt, PhD, heads his own consulting firm, Human Performance Research, in Marina del Rey, California, where he researches issues in human performance, human factors, and ergonomics. He is also a professor emeritus of psychology at the University of California at Los Angeles. Known as one of the research leaders in motor behavior, Dr. Schmidt has 35 years of experience and has published widely in his field.

The originator of schema theory, Dr. Schmidt founded the Journal of Motor Behavior and was its editor for 11 years. He authored the first edition of Motor Control and Learning in 1982 and Motor Learning and Performance in 1991, and he has since followed up with new editions of both books.

Dr. Schmidt is a member of the North American Society for the Psychology of Sport and Physical Activity (NASPSPA), the Human Factors and Ergonomics Society, and the Psychonomic Society. He has received honorary doctorates from the Katholieke Universiteit Leuven in Belgium and Université Joseph Fourier in France for contributions to his research field. Dr. Schmidt has served as president of NASPSPA, and he received the C.H. McCloy Research Lectureship from the American Alliance for Health, Physical Education, Recreation and Dance.

Craig A. Wrisberg, PhD, is a professor of sport psychology at the University of Tennessee at Knoxville, where he has taught since 1977. During the past 30 years Wrisberg has published more than 90 refereed research articles and book chapters on the topics of anticipation and timing in performance, knowledge of results and motor learning, and the role of cognitive strategies in sport performance.His book Skill Instruction for Coaches is one of the volumes included in the American Sport Education Program (ASEP) Silver Level sport science curriculum. He earned his PhD with a specialization in motor learning from the University of Michigan and has focused his teaching, research, mentoring, and consulting in the field of applied motor learning and sport psychology.

A former president of both the Association for Applied Sport Psychology (AASP) and the North American Society for the Psychology of Sport and Physical Activity, Wrisberg is a fellow of AASP as well as the American Academy of Kinesiology and Physical Education. In 1982 he received the Brady Award for Excellence in Teaching, and in 1994 the Chancellor's Award for Research and Creative Achievement, both from the University of Tennessee at Knoxville.

In addition to his teaching and research, Wrisberg provides performance consulting for college and professional athletes in a variety of sports. In his work with athletes, he applies many of the concepts and principles covered in this edition of Motor Learning and Performance using the situation-based learning approach on a consistent basis.

Motor Control and Learning: A Behavioral Emphasis is the only graduate textbook that combines motor control and motor learning with the in-depth details students need in order to understand the topic and distinguish between both sides of an issue. The fourth edition features an up-to-date review of the latest research in the field.

Doody Review Services

Reviewer:Terry L Grindstaff, DPT, ATC, SCS, CSCS(University of Virginia Health System)
Description:This fourth edition of an introduction to the principles of motor learning and performance includes updated references, more student friendly exercises at the end of each chapter, and an online study component. The third edition of this book, which was first published in 1991, was published in 2004.
Purpose:The purpose is to provide an introduction to motor learning via a conceptual model with a situation-based learning approach. Each chapter has outlined specific learning objectives.
Audience:As an introductory book, this is aimed primarily at undergraduate students in physical education, exercise science, kinesiology, biomechanics, psychology, or professional programs such as physical therapy, occupational therapy, or athletic training. Both authors are well respected in their fields and have published extensively.
Features:The book's four parts broadly cover an overview of motor performance and learning, principles of skilled performance, principles of skilled learning, and integration/application. Each chapter uses a number of visual aids (graphs, flow charts) to further clarify written concepts. A unique aspect of the book is the number of questions presented in each chapter that require readers to apply information to theoretical situations. Chapters conclude with terminology and essay type questions, and additional application exercises. Answers for terminology questions are located in the appendix. An extensive reference list and index end the book.
Assessment:Undergraduate students will appreciate the introductory information, practical applications, and updated references which make the fourth edition necessary. Students may find this book is of similar quality and easier to read than Motor Learning and Control: Concepts and Applications, 8th edition, by Magill (McGraw-Hill, 2006).

Preface

Part I: An Introduction to Motor Performance and Learning

Chapter 1. Getting Started
Preview
Overview
Motor Skill: What Is It?
The Chicken and the Egg: Motor Performance and Motor Learning
A Situation-Based Approach to Motor Performance and Learning
Summary
From Principles to Practice

Chapter 2. Processing Information and Making Decisions
Preview
Overview
Information-Processing Approach
Reaction Time and Decision Making
Information Processing Under Different Time Constraints
Information Processing Under Conditions of High and Low Arousal and Anxiety
Attention Capacity: A Limitation to Information Processing
Three Memory Systems
Summary
From Principles to Practice

Part II: Principles of Human Skilled Performance

Chapter 3. Sensory Contributions to Skilled Performance
Preview
Overview
Sources of Sensory Information
Closed-Loop Control Systems
Reflexive Modulations in Movement Skills
Role of Two Visual Systems in Movement Control
Visual Control of Motor Performance Summary
From Principles to Practice

Chapter 4. Movement Production and Motor Programs
Chapter Outline
Preview Overview
Motor Program Theory
Open-Loop Control Within the Conceptual Model
Generalized Motor Programs
Summary
From Principles to Practice

Chapter 5. Principles of Motor Control and Movement Accuracy
Preview
Overview
Relative Timing
Determinants of Accuracy in Rapid Movements
Combining the Principles: A Batting Example
Summary
From Principles toPractice

Chapter 6. Individual Differences and Motor Abilities
Preview
Overview
Concept of Individual Differences
Abilities and Capabilities
Summary
From Principles to Practice

Part III: Principles of Skill Learning

Chapter 7. Preparing for the Learning Experience
Preview
Overview
Defining the Learning Experience
The Learner
Assessing Progress
Summary
From Principles to Practice

Chapter 8. Supplementing the Learning Experience
Preview
Overview
Preliminary Considerations
Skill Presentation Techniques
Forms of Practice
Summary
From Principles to Practice

Chapter 9. Structuring the Learning Experience
Preview
Overview
Practicing Several Different Skills
Practicing Several Versions of the Same Skill
Random or Blocked Practice Versus Varied or Constant Practice
Combining Random and Varied Practice
Practicing for Consistent and Varied Stimulus-Response Mapping
Summary
From Principles to Practice

Chapter 10. Providing Feedback During the Learning Experience
Preview
Overview
Classifying Feedback
Properties of Extrinsic Feedback
Practical Considerations When Providing Information Feedback
Summary
From Principles to Practice

Part IV: Integration and Applications

Chapter 11. Facilitating Learning and Performance
Preview
Overview
A Working Strategy for Providing Instructional Assistance
Four Case Studies
Assessment of Learner Progress
Summary

Chapter 12. Applying the Principles of Skill Learning
Preview
Overview
Now It's Your Turn
An Example
A Final Comment

References
Credits
Index
About the Authors