A total of 75 10-sec. trials on a novel gross two-handed tracking task were given to 58 Ss over 2 days. Following the first 3 trials under control non-fatigue conditions, the experimental group performed a 4-min. initial exercise bout and further 1-min. bouts that were interpolated between 1-min. periods of continuous practice on the learning task. The control group followed the same procedures except that a vowel-cancelling task was substituted for the exercise task. The view that moderately heavy levels of physical fatigue cause little or no impairment in the learning and performance of motor skills which depend highly upon exteroceptive information was supported by the results.
Get full access to this article
View all access options for this article.
References
1.
AdamsJ. A.ReynoldsB.Effect of shift in distribution of practice conditions following interpolated rest. Journal of Experimental Psychology, 1954, 47, 32–36.
2.
AldermanR. B.Influence of local fatigue on speed and accuracy in motor learning. Research Quarterly, 1965, 36, 131–140.
3.
AmmonsR. B.Acquisition of motor skill: I. Quantitative analysis and theoretical formulation. Psychological Review, 1947, 54, 263–281.
4.
BartzD. W.SmithL. E.Effect of moderate exercise on the performance and learning of a gross motor skill. Perceptual and Motor Skills, 1970, 31, 187–190.
5.
BensonD. W.Influence of imposed fatigue on learning a jumping task and a juggling task. Research Quarterly, 1968, 39, 251–257.
6.
CarronA. V.Physical fatigue and motor learning. Research Quarterly, 1969, 40, 682–686.
7.
CarronA. V.Motor performance and learning under physical fatigue. Medicine and Science in Sports, 1972, 4, 101–106.
8.
CarronA. V.FerchukA. D.The effect of fatigue on learning and performance of a gross motor task. Journal of Motor Behavior, 1971, 3, 62–68.
9.
CochranB. J.Effect of physical fatigue on learning to perform a novel motor task. Research Quarterly, 1975, 46, 243–249.
10.
CottenD. J.ThomasJ. R.SpiethW. R.BiasiottoJ.Temporary fatigue effects in a gross motor skill. Journal of Motor Behavior, 1972, 4, 217–222.
11.
DuffyE.Activation and behavior. New York: Wiley, 1962.
12.
EysenckH. J.A three-factor theory of reminiscence. British Journal of Psychology, 1965, 56, 163–181.
13.
GodwinM. A.SchmidtR. A.Muscular fatigue and learning a discrete motor skill. Research Quarterly, 1971, 42, 374–381.
14.
GutinB.Effect of local fatigue on rotary pursuit performance and learning. Paper presented at the American College of Sports Medicine Conference, State College, Pa., 1968.
15.
OsgoodG. E.The similarity paradox in human learning: a resolution. Psychological Review, 1949, 56, 132–143.
16.
PackD. M.CottenD. J.BiasiottoJ.Effect of four fatigue levels on performance and learning of a novel dynamic balance skill. Journal of Motor Behavior, 1974, 6, 191–197.
17.
PhillipsW. H.Influence of fatiguing warm-up exercises on speed of movement and reaction latency. Research Quarterly, 1963, 34, 370–378.
18.
RichardsD.A two-factor theory of the warmup effect in jumping performance. Research Quarterly, 1968, 39, 668–673.
19.
SchmidtR. A.Performance and learning a gross motor skill under conditions of artificially induced fatigue. Research Quarterly, 1969, 40, 185–190.
20.
WelchM.Specificity of heavy work fatigue: absence of transfer from heavy leg work to coordination tasks using the arms. Research Quarterly, 1969, 40, 402–406.
21.
WhitleyJ. D.Effects of increasing inertial resistance on performance and learning of a training task. Research Quarterly, 1973, 44, 1–11.
