The effect of cognitive strategies on the performance of a closed motor skill

[摘要] ENGLISH ABSTRACT: The study comprised two separate but closely 'related parts,an experimental study and a limited field study. Theexperimental study utilized a closed motor skill accuracytask, putting a golf ball, to determine the effects of twodifferent cognitive strategies on the performance of twoexperimental groups.The field study involved distributing questionnaires toprofessional golfers (N=57) who participated in the SouthAfrican TweeJongegezellen Masters tournament in Stellenbosch.The questionnaire was designed to determine the extent towhich these golfers used structured mental strategies withinpre-shot routines. Results reveal that local golfers do nothave adequate knowledge of psychological techniques and' ofhow to employ them.The experimental strategies could be divided into twodistinct components: a cognitive component and a behaviouralcomponent. The behavioural component of the experimentalgroups was identical and took the form of a mechanical preshotroutine. Subjects were required to learn a step-by-steproutine which they would repeat before every putt.This behavioural strategy can be seen as a primary strategy(Singer, 1984) in that it enables the performer to absorb, allthe relevant information from the environment that isnecessary to formulate an appropriate motor programme. Thecognitive component is aimed at allowing the primary strategy,to operate more effectively. This cognitive component couldtherefore, according to Singer (1984), be seen as a secondarystrategy. Both experimental groups received training in theCentering technique devised by Nideffer (1986). Only oneexperimentalgroup received instruction in relaxation andimagery skills. Male, amateur, single figure handicap golfers participated inthe study (N=24). Subjects were randomly assigned to one ofthree groups: (a) an attentional pre-shot routine group(n=8); (b) an attentional pre-shot routine with imagery andrelaxation group (n=8); and (c) a control group (n=8). Allsubjects completed a putting test before and after the five-weekexperimental programme. The putting test was conductedin a laboratory where a putting green was constructed. Thisallowed for maximum control of external variables while stillsimulating identical competition conditions. Subjects hadsixteen putts from eight different distances during the test.Standardized instructions were read out to each subject toensure maximum control.The treatment of the experimental groups involved a series oflectures over a five week period. Experimental group A hadfive lectures and Experimental group B had a total of sevenlectures during which typed handouts, which explained thetheory behind the techniques learnt, were distributed 'tosubjects. The final lecture was devoted purely to thepractical application of these techniques.Although both experimental groups improved, the results of.the test found only the experimental group trained in imageryand relaxation to have improved significantly. The resultssuggest that using a structured attentional pre-shot routinethat includes imagery and relaxation will produce moreconsistent putting scores for golfers. The conclusion drawnfrom the results of the experiment was consistent with theproposed hypothesis.A number of theories, inter alia the schema theory (Schmidt,1988) , the set hypothesis, and the information processingtheory are proposed to support why the use of strategiesimprove performance.

[发布机构] Stellenbosch University