PDFE #10

We did an in-class lab on November 1^st to learn about varied and constant practice.  We did this by pairing up into groups of two and tossed beans bags into a hula hoop.  Constant practice is a form of practicing a single task that allows the individual to repeatedly rehearse one variation of a task. This is like hitting irons on a driving range over and over the same club, same swing, and same shot. Varied practice allows the player to practice different versions of the same action. In a golf situation this would be like practicing the circle drill on the putting green.  This is done by placing balls at equal distance around the hole and putting each put in sequence around the hole. Varied practice transfers over to performances much better than constant practice. Jenny and I took turns tossing a bean bag at a hula-hoop with a circle inside. I changed the distance from which I threw the bean bag each time, in a repeating sequence of 4 meters, 5 meters, 6 meters, 4 meters, etc. Jenny  threw the bean bag from 5 meters each time. We each threw the bean bag 15 times, took a 5 minute break, and repeated the sequence 3 times.  After we each went we took a five minute break and then performed a retention test in which we threw the bean bag only 5 times, each time from 5 meters. The theory was that Jenny would score better since she did constant practice from 5 meters. The results didn't match the readings from the textbook. The results could have been affected by a number of outside variables.  I was tossing with my right shoulder which is recovering from an injury which most likely skewed the results. Other things that may have affected the results could have been natural ability of the two people, distraction from the amount of people in a small area, and fatigue in the arm. The experiment was performed to demonstrate the difference in the two types of practice.  When applying to a sport scenario varied practice is better because that is how you perform during the sport.  Constant practice is great for developing muscle memory, but varied practice is better for practicing scenarios in sport.   This lab was a great way to hands on learn about varied and constant practice.