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Core 2: Factors affecting performance
How does the acquisition of skill affect performance?
For performers and coaches to be effecive in their roles, it is essential that they understand how the acquisition of skill affects performance. This includes an understanding of the learning process, the differences between a skilled and unskilled performance, the stages of skill acquisition and ways to appraise skill and performance.
The learning process
Understanding how movement skills are learnt is best described using four major steps: perceiving, deciding, acting and feedback. Each step has a particular role, with each step relating to the next step of the learning process. Learning a movement skill is a cyclic process that assists in the refinement of the skill.
Characteristics of the learner
Each individual brings unique qualities, characteristics and experiences to the learning environment. These experiences and characteristics influence the capacity of the learner to acquire skills.
The learning environment
In addition to the characteristics a learner brings to the situation, everything outside the learner needs to be considered in terms of the impact on the learning process. This includes considering the physical environment, the nature of the skill to be learnt, the types of practice to be used and the nature of feedback.
Stages of skill acquisition
When the learner acquires a skill they move through various stages of learning from a beginner through to a skilled performer. There are three distinct stages when learning a movement skill. These stages are cognitive, associative and autonomous.
Rates of skill acquisition
Rates of skill acquisition can be observed using learning curves which plot the progress of the learner over time. Many factors influence the rate at which the leaner acquires a skill. For example, some learners are quick to understand concepts; some skills are easier to learn than others; some forms of feedback are better used to support learning at some stages more than others. The combination of these factors determines the rate at which the learner progresses through the stages of skill acquisition.