A common criticism of the literature in contextual interference is the equivocal findings in applied settings. To further explore this issue, the present study examined the influence of practice schedule on the development of distance accuracy in the golf putt.
Method
Fifty-one participants were randomly assigned to one of five groups differing by practice schedule. Following a 15 trial pretest, all participants were taught the basic technique of the golf putt. All participants then performed 75 practice trials consisting of 15 putts to each of 5 target distances. The target distances were 10,13,16,19 and 22 feet. Group 1, blocked practice, putt 15 balls to the first target, 15 balls to the second target and so on until all targets had been utilized. The serial practice group hit one ball to each target in sequence, repeating the sequence 15 times. The random practice group hit 75 balls in a predetermined random order such that each target was used 15 times. The fourth group, repeated serial practice, performed 3 putts to each target in the sequence, repeating the sequence 5 times. Finally, the repeated random group putt 3 balls to each target in a predetermined random order such that each target was used 5 times. After a two day period of no practice, a retention test consisting of 15 trials was performed.
Analysis/Results
Separate 5 (Group) x 2 (Test) ANOVAs with repeated measures on the second factor were performed for absolute, constant and variable error (p<.05). While significant improvement in accuracy was found from the pretest to the retention test, no significant differences were revealed for practice schedule. However, the repeated serial group experienced a 26% gain in accuracy compared with the other four practice conditions which ranged between 10.2% and 17.2%. While not statistically significant, an argument could be made regarding the practical significance of this finding.
Conclusions
Statistically, the results of this study suggest that all practice conditions were equally effective for the development of distance accuracy in putting. However, given that the difference between success and failure in putting is often dictated by centimeters, the use of a repeated serial practice schedule may be advantageous.
See more of: Research Consortium