Who else was ready for results yesterday?
Good things come to those who wait. Patience is a virtue.
...but I want it now!
Our phone screens have gotten bigger, and our attention spans have gotten smaller. You might as well buckle up and prepare for the ride because true change doesn't happen overnight. It takes time to get unfit, and it takes time to get fit. Mastery, only after 1,000 kicks. How do you stay engaged and interested in the process?
In strength training, the focus is usually on results. The learning process is often overlooked. Understanding and embracing how we learn can be as crucial to results as a good program.
This blog post will delve into the science behind motor learning: the importance of active participation, how to use visual feedback, the role of mistakes in skill acquisition, and the power of autonomy.
Active Involvement in Learning
Active involvement is important in any learning process. As one progresses in motor learning, there's a shift toward more specialized and efficient movements. This optimization is crucial for complex movements in sports and daily activities. When someone first learns piano, they are focused on hitting the right keys; once that is easy, they can focus on timing, and then they may explore the pressure of strokes. Beginners don't ascend to ease- the learning deepens, and the challenge changes. Focusing on mastering where you are now will only help strengthen the foundation for future development.
The Power of Visual Feedback
Visual feedback, particularly video analysis, is pivotal in learning and correcting form. Visual biofeedback induces implicit and explicit motor learning strategies, enhancing skill acquisition. Clients can better understand their movements by reviewing their performance videos, leading to more effective adjustments and improvements. This is one reason I ask my clients to video some of their lifts for me. It is as much to let me help them correct and refine their form as it is to teach them to look analytically at their performance.
Learning from Mistakes
The concept of learning from mistakes is central to effective motor learning. Larger brain responses to negative feedback or mistakes indicate better future performance. This isn't about beating yourself up for infractions but about paying attention to them. A larger brain response simply means you are more attuned to the error. The more sensitive your error reading, the easier it is to make a new mistake next time instead of repeating the same errors. The brain's learning mechanism is driven by correcting errors rather than solely through success. Not every rep needs to be perfect; learning and improvement often stem from the errors made along the way.
Autonomy and Choice in Learning
Autonomy in learning is another critical factor. Autonomy fuels motivation and engagement, essential components in the journey to self-betterment. Giving learners choices enhances motor skill learning, regardless of the task's relevance. There should be some flexibility built into any program and face validity (believing in and knowing why you are doing what you are doing) facilitates the aforementioned modes of learning.
Concluding Thoughts
Learning in physical training is multifaceted and deeply integrated with how we perceive and react to our actions and mistakes. Encouraging clients to take an active role, analyze their performance, and learn from their errors is not just beneficial; it's essential for true mastery and improvement in any physical discipline.
Perfection isn't the goal; it's the continuous pursuit of improvement and understanding one's abilities and limitations.