Neuromuscular and Nervous SystemsDifficulty 3/5
Which practice schedule best promotes long-term retention of a motor skill, even though in-session performance may look worse?
- ABlocked practice of one task repeated until performance stabilises
- BRandom practice interleaving several tasks within the session
- CMassed practice with minimal rest between all repetitions
- DConstant practice of a single parameter with unchanging conditions
Show answer and rationale
Correct: B. Random or interleaved practice depresses performance during acquisition but improves retention and transfer — the contextual-interference effect. Blocked practice flatters the session and fades afterwards.
- A — Blocked practice improves acquisition performance but produces weaker retention.
- C — Massed practice affects rest distribution rather than contextual interference.
- D — Constant practice limits transfer to novel task variations.