1. Diagnosing Errors
Chapter 10

2. Learning process
Provide learners with information regarding correctness of performance and provide refinement instructions
Practitioners must accurately analyze motor skills and figure out what to correct and how to correct it

3. Limitations of Observations
Learner may have developed an idiosyncratic technique
Is the movement problematic from a biomechanics perspective?
Tendency to focus on the outcome of the movement
Tendency to provide feedback only about those technical aspects of the skill that can be seen
Underlying processes are not directly observable – often overlooked when analyzing skill; is there a perceptual problem? Is there a cognitive problem?

4. Conducting an Observation
Identify purpose and key elements of the skill
Conduct a skill task analysis
Determine optimal viewing perspective
View from multiple perspectives; step back or up close?
Decide how many trials to observe for error diagnosis; multiple trials is preferred
Choose whether or not to videotape; practitioner and learner can observe together; helps develop error detection ability

5. Cause of errors Constraints Understanding the skill requirement
Poor selection and slow response prep
Incorrect response execution
Visual and proprioception problems

6. Cause of Error Constraint errors Comprehension Errors Selection Errors
Perceptual Errors
Decision-making Errors
Recall Errors
Execution Errors
Neuromuscular Coord. Error
Telegraphing
Sensory
Visual
Proprioception

7. Errors Due to Constraints
Developmental level;technique may be due to maturation and level of ability
Equipment; equipment weight, size of equipment, use of equipment
Structure of the task or drill; practice drill doesn’t meet level of ability or maturation
Change in environment from closed to open
Fear

8. Practical Application
Based on the previous constraints, what kind of errors might you see from learners with whom you work/teach?

9. Comprehension Errors
Occur when a learner doesn’t understand the requirements of the skill or what you want them to do
Re-explain the skill
Use developmentally appropriate terminology
Avoid overloading with too much information
Check for understanding

10. Comprehension Errors During Skill Refinement
If learner doesn’t understand what the error is or how it is being created; videotape
Focus attention on sensory consequences; vision, proprioception
Engage learners performance evaluation;questions
If learner understands the error but is uncertain about how to correct it
Continue to demonstrate and provide feedback
Try guidance and/ or a simulator; assistive equipment

11. Errors in Selection
Must be able to differentiate between moving slowly and initiating movement slowly
Slow movement execution likely due to a problem with technique
Slow movement initiation likely a perceptual or decision-making problem; response preparation is hindered; slow RT

12. Perceptual Errors Occur when learner
Doesn’t know what cues to look for in the environment ; what was going on in the environment?
Can’t distinguish between task relevant and irrelevant stimuli ; limited attentional capacity
Focuses his or her attention on the wrong cues
Fails to look at information rich areas in the environment where critical cues occur
Arousal level not optimal; remember the inverted U?

13. Corrections for Perceptual Errors
Teach what the critical cues are
Prompt learner to prepare response sooner
Directing learner’s attention to where in the environment the critical cues occur
Providing extensive practice opportunities in a variety of situations that contain common task relevant cues
Incorporate strategies to optimize arousal level

14. Practical Application
What perceptual errors might you find in your work/teaching?
How do you correct these errors?

15. Decision Making Errors
Select wrong motor program;wrong skill
Select right program but wrong parameters
Fails to reduce number of response alternatives:
High uncertainty of response means higher possibility of incorrect response
Fails to identify potential predictors: poor prediction of predictors could cause poor response prep and mistiming of response

16. Corrections for Decision Making Errors
Increase performer’s ability to identify and locate critical cues
Develop stronger cause and effect relationship between specific cues and the appropriate response
Teach how to systematically look for key performance characteristics when assessing a situation
Teach to identify potential predictors

17. Recall Errors
Difficulty remembering movements and strategies because of the passage of time between practice sessions
Unable to recall what to do in a given situation
Trace decay? Retrieval problem from LTM?

18. Correction of Recall Errors
Provide reminders
Incorporate attention focusing questioning strategies
E.g. “What are you going to focus on this time?”

19. Errors in Neuromuscular Coordination
Not enough practice time to establish the proper coordination; awkward, clumsy movements
Learner lacks underlying abilities; pp.13-14
Learner lacks prerequisite skills
Negative transfer;previous skill interferes with current skill
Learner consciously attends to the specifics of a skill normally performed automatically;thinking too much instead of just doing it

20. Correction of Errors in Neuromuscular Coordination
Have to be able to distinguish between what learners can do and what they know
Provide additional opportunities to practice
Address physical deficits;ie. lack of strength, flexibility
Genetic deficiencies won’t be corrected, ie. poor RT/ manual dexterity
Reallocate attentional focus; through practice one doesn’t need to focus so much on the motor skill

21. Execution Error: Telegraphing
Learner reveals his or her intent allowing opponent to prepare in advance
Teach learners to conceal his or her intentions in order to increase opponent’s uncertainty

22. Sensory Errors Limitations with sensory receptors
Visual;poor lighting, obstructions, events occurring too fast
Proprioception; poor balance causing an error/fall; lack of control

23. Corrections to sensory limitations
Perform with good light situations
Teach performer to get optimal vantage point
Develop proprioception by balance training
BAPS boards, balance boards

24. Should the Error be Corrected?
Is the learner capable of making the correction?
How much time is needed to make the correction?
Is the learner motivated to make the correction?

25. Practical Application
Choose one:
An accident victim has an above elbow amputation. A prosthetic has been fitted and the client is beginning physical therapy. Due to loss of proprioception the client will have difficulty learning to do skills that require hand/grip strength. What motor skill errors may occur as a result?
A young student is having difficulty catching a ball that is thrown underhanded with a high arc. The ball often bounces off the student’s hands or chest. Why might the student be making these errors?
What considerations should be made prior to deciding whether to correct a movement error?