The effect of model observation versus physical practice during motor skill acquisition and performance

One hundred right-handed participants were randomly assigned to one of four model demonstration/physical practice treatment groups or a no model demonstration control group to examine the model observation to physical practice ratio for optimal facilitation during acquisition and performance of a complex motor task. Each group was exposed to a total of sixteen model demonstrations and/or physical practice combinations with no KR or KP. Cognitive representation was assessed using a recognition test, a pictorial arrangement test and a temporal timing test. These cognitive representation assessments were given five times over the course of acquisition and performance. Performance accuracy was assessed using spatial and temporal accuracy. Results indicated that the groups exposed to model demonstrations were superior in both cognitive representation scores (spatial and timing) and performance accuracy (both immediate and retention) than the control group. More specifically, the temporal cognitive representation assessment scores were highest in groups with more model demonstration exposures than physical practice, while the spatial cognitive representation assessment scores were highest in groups with equal or more physical practice than model demonstration exposures. Overall results indicate that while both model demonstration observations and physical performance facilitate both spatial and temporal components of motor skills, the model demonstrations appear to have a greater influence on the timing aspects while physical practice has a greater influence on the spatial aspects.