Information processing approach to understanding and improving physical performance

Abstract

Human motor behavior includes a very wide range of movements, such as grasping a cup to drink, playing a musical instrument (e.g., a piano or guitar), or performing a forward roll in gymnastics. Information processing provides a framework to understand how humans perform these movements, often automatically, and how they improve their skills and performance through practice and experience. A basic assumption of the information processing framework is that humans have to transform incoming sensory information through a series of complex but researchable processes consisting of sensation-perception, response selection, and response execution. This chapter describes an information processing model used to understand the performance and learning of a wide variety of motor skills and discuss its implications for teaching and coaching sport skills. It discusses the different stages of information processing, theoretical models to explain information processing, and the factors that may influence information processing capabilities.