The Effects of Massed and Distributed Practice on the Performance of a Gross Motor Skill

Abstract

The effects of massed and distributed practice on the basketball dribbling performance of fourth grade boys was investigated. Fifteen massed practice (MP) and 15 distributed practice (DP) subjects were randomly selected from an intact class of 37. The criterion task (dribbling a basketball) and four unrelated tasks (alternate activity tasks) were employed in the investigation. Subjects practicing under MP conditions received one 6 minute practice trial on all tasks during a single practice session. Subjects practicing under DP conditions received two 3 minute practice trials on all tasks during a single practice session. The total time spent on the criterion task and alternate activities was the same for each group. The total time was 30 minutes for the entire study and six minutes during a single practice session. The results of the analysis of variance (ANOVA) on pre-test performance scores showed no significant differences occurring between the practice groups. The results of the ANOVA, and those of the analysis of covariance, on post-test performance scores showed significant differences to be occurring. This study found evidence to support the hypothesis that DP was more effective in the performance of a gross motor task within an applied setting than was MP.