From September 13th to September 15th, the Department of Sport and Health Sciences hosts the University Day of the German Society of Sports Science. The keynote speakers give insight into their presentations in short interviews.
Prof. Dr. Gabriele Wulf is Professor in the Department of Kinesiology and Nutrition Sciences of the University of Nevada, Las Vegas (UNLV). In her research, Prof. Wulf studies factors that influence the learning of motor skills, for example, the performer's focus of attention and motivational factors such as performance expectancies and autonomy. Her research has resulted in the publication of nearly 200 journal articles and book chapters. From 2013 to 2016 she served as the President of the North American Society for the Psychology of Sport and Physical Activity.
At the University Day of the German Society of Sports Science, Prof. Wulf will deliver a keynote speech titled "Optimizing Sport Skill Learning" on Thursday, September 14th (11.15 am, Audimax).
Prof. Wulf, what will you be presenting to us?
"My research deals with variables that affect skill learning. More precisely, I am interested in conditions that facilitate the learning of motor skills, including sport skills. Over the past few years, we have gained important new insights in this area, and I will be sharing some new findings."
Are the ways in which we teach, or practice, motor skills ineffective?
"In some ways, yes. For example, there is consistent evidence that confidence is critical for optimal performance and learning, as is a sense of autonomy. In practical settings, there is a lot of room for improvement in those respects."
What do you mean specifically?
"It is important that instructors, in addition to giving corrective feedback, emphasize positive aspects of performance. This is one way of promoting learner confidence. Furthermore, practice conditions are often controlling. We know that autonomy-supportive environments are much more conducive to learning. Also, instructions need to promote a so-called external focus of attention."
What is the secret behind focus of attention?
"An athlete can't achieve optimal performance when focusing on his or her movements. It is more beneficial to concentrate on the intended effect of the movement, for example, the trajectory of a volleyball one is hitting. How exactly performance is affected by the attentional focus and, of course, how coaches can best apply this knowledge, will be part of my presentation. I think many people will be surprised to see how easy it is to enhance performance and learning."
More about Prof. Dr. Gabriele Wulf
More about the University Day of the German Society of Sports Science of the dvs
Contact:
Johannes Hanke
Uptown Munich, Campus D
Georg-Brauchle Ring 60/62
80992 Munich
Telephone: 089 289 24765
E-Mail: Johannes.Hanke(at)tum.de
Interview: Fabian Kautz & Conan Furlong
Photo: Prof. Dr. Gabriele Wulf