Effect of Distributed and Massed Practice upon the Learning of a Velocity Task

Abstract

Abstract Elementary school girls (N=29) participated in a throwing velocity task to examine the effects of distributed and massed practice during a 6 wk experimental program. Subjects were randomly assigned to 1 of 3 groups: a massed practice group, a distributed practice group, and a control group. Each subject in the massed group (N=10) practiced 50 consecutive throws each Wednesday during the 6 wk period for a total of 300 practice throws. Each subject in the distributed group (N=10) practiced 10 consecutive throws each day, Monday through Friday, of each week during the 6 wk practice period for an identical total of 300 practice throws. Members of the control group (N=9) did not practice during the 6 wk experimental session, however, they did participate in each testing session. The ANOVA employed on the posttest score revealed that the amount of learning in the velocity task measured as initial velocity, differed significantly within the 3 groups. Implementation of the Scheffe method of post hoc comp...