There are four main mechanisms involved in processing and learning a physical skill: input received via the senses, information processing in the brain, output produced by the muscles, and feedback. Individual ability to learn depends on factors like physical maturation, fitness, attention, motivation, feedback, memory, amount and type of practice, and perceptual ability. For example, when analyzing an incoming tennis ball, Lleyton Hewitt must process information on its flight, spin, and his opponent's position to determine the correct shot.

1. Information Processing
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2. Key Concept
Each individual has their own capacity to learn via their
information processing systems. Many factors affect how people
learn, their capacity to learn and ultimately their potential for
performance.
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3. Humans as information processors
In order for an athlete to perform a skilled movement, they must
accept information from the environment and attempt to analyse
it. Following that analysis, the brain can decide on the correct
course of action.
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4. Example
When Lleyton Hewitt is forces wide on the forehand side, he
must analyse the flight and spin on the incoming ball, as well as
his opponent’s court position, prior to formulating a motor
program that will allow him to hit a cross-court forehand back to
his opponent.
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5. The four mechanisms
Regardless of which stage of learning an athlete is in, there are four
recognised mechanisms involved in processing and learning a physical
skill. Each mechanism involves analysis and interpretation of
information in an effort to produce a skilled performance.
1. Input - received via the senses
2. Information processing
3. Output - produced by the muscles
4. Feedback
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6. Humans as information processors
There is a lot of information to process and individual ability to learn can
depend on:
Physical maturation
Physical fitness capability
Attention and motivation while learning
Feedback
Memory
Amount and type of practice
Perceptual ability
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7. Humans as information processors
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8. Physical maturation
As children grow physically and develop, their bodies are
capable of more coordinated and refined movements. Therefore,
performance will improve with the appropriate level of physical
maturity.
Coaches and parents need to allow for physical differences
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9. Physical fitness capability
Development of fitness increases the learner’s ability to perform
and therefore to learn. Increased muscular power in the
shoulder region for example, will enable the learner to practice
and perform a jump shot in basketball more effectively.
Greater fitness and endurance will also enable the learner to
practice for longer, leading to more effective practice and skill
learning.
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10. Attention and motivation while
learning
The more attentive and motivated the learner is, the greater his
or her ability to learn skills will be.
Younger children have a shorter attention span than older
children, resulting in reduced ability to concentrate. This
obviously affects what and how much the beginner can learn.
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11. Feedback
Information concerning performance, especially while learning,
is vital for improvement. Feedback gives specific information
about wrong judgement or incorrect technique. It also offers
solutions and new approaches, reinforcing learning and
providing motivation for the performer.
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12. Amount and type of practice
A learner must physically an mentally practice skills. Practice
provides an improved understanding of the skill, as well as
improving performance.
Studies conducted by the AIS found that world-class team-sport
athletes who had early exposure to a wide range of sports prior
to specialising in their chosen sport required fewer hours of
practice to achieve national selection in their chosen sport.
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13. Perceptual Ability
Information from your senses allows your body to construct a program to
enable performance of a skill. The ability to interpret or perceive the sensory
information is vital to learning and successfully performing that skill.
Example; a tennis player must observe the speed and direction of a tennis ball
to move appropriately to return the ball.
The player’s ability to anticipate opposition or team mates’ movements
during a game is heightened with experience.
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14. Test your understanding
Name the four main components that comprise the human
information processing system.
List the seven individual factors that determine the rate of
human learning.
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15. Apply your understanding
Examine the usual order of the four main components that
comprise the human information processing system. Why is this
the best order?
Why is feedback given as the last of the four components? Could
it be second or third? Under what circumstances could it be
anywhere but fourth?
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16. Extend your understanding
Choose a learning situation from a sport of your choice, eg; the
first time you tried to jump the high jump or complete a golf
shot, go surfing or skateboarding or skiing. etc..
List the physical steps you followed to learn the skill.
What types of practice did you complete to learn the skill?
Did you learn the skill quickly? Why?
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