PDFE # 10

The lab that we performed on November 1st in class dealt with constant and varied practice schedules and which one was more effective. A constant practice schedule is one in which the parameters/settings do not change in practice. Examples of this would be taking a shot in soccer from the same spot without opposition, throwing a bean bag at a target from the same position, or passing a football from a certain distance repeatedly. A varied practice is a practice where the learner completes more than one variation of a task. This way a person learns the relationship between parameter settings and resulting environmental outcomes. Examples of this would be throwing a bean bag from 4m, 5m, and 6m, throwing a baseball from different positions, or shooting a basketball from different areas on the court.
In the lab we performed we have three pieces of tape set up on the floor, 4,5,6m distances with a target on the other end with a mat in the middle for the bulls eye. If we threw the bean bag into the space between the bulls eye and the circle edge that was one point and touching the bulls eye counted two points. One partner performed constant practice and the other varied practice. The constant practice was throwing the bean bag from the 5m line each time, and the varied was moving from 4m to 5m to 6m. Caitlin performed the varied practice and I performed the constant practice. When we performed the skills test at the end of the lab I scored three points, and Caitlin scored two points. This would indicate that the constant practice was more helpful, though we understand through the readings that varied practice is the preferred type.
The readings explain that varied practice is the best at developing skills that allow for us to succeed, the discrepancies we had with the reading could have been because there was a distraction during Caitlin's skills test tossing, or fatigue could have been a problem. Overall, the lab was very fun to perform and we learned the differences between constant and varied practice. We also could apply this knowledge to coaching situations or physical therapy situations.