Sport Sciences and Health Research

Sport Sciences and Health Research

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

Document Type : Research Paper

Authors
Samaneh Sadat Khalilirad 1
Hasan Mohammadzadeh 1
Farahnaz Ayatizadeh Tafti 2
1 Department of Motor Behavior and Sports Management, Faculty of Sports Sciences, Urmia University, Urmia, Iran.
2 Faculty of Psychology and Educational Sciences, Department of Sport Sciences Yazd University, Yazd, Iran
10.22059/sshr.2024.383801.1167
Abstract
Background: 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.
Aim: 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.
Materials and Methods: 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.
Results: 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)
Conclusion: 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.
Keywords
low-error practice
mood states
optimal theory
self-efficacy
success criteria

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Sport Sciences and Health Research
Volume 17, Issue 1
January 2025
Pages 81-95