Cognitive Effort and Motor Learning

Recent research on the role of practice variables during the acquisition of motor skills is reviewed. These practice variables include (a) the effects of a model's skill level during observation, (b) how augmented feedback is provided to a learner, and (c) how practice conditions are arranged when learning multiple tasks. The results of research in these areas suggest that cognitive processes play an important role during the early stages of skill acquisition. Moreover, the effort by which these cognitive processes are undertaken is influenced by practice variables. Motor learning is enhanced when these variables are manipulated to promote cognitive effort by a learner.