ABSTRACT

An external focus of attention, enhanced expectancies and autonomy support are key independent and interactive characteristics which enhance motor learning. These OPTIMAL (Optimizing Performance Through Intrinsic Motivation and Attention for Learning) characteristics have proven supportive of adult’s motor learning yet, their effect on children’s motor learning is comparatively under-explored. Fifty-five studies were systematically reviewed to outline the impact of OPTIMAL variables on children’s motor learning, specifically foundational movement skills (FMS). Thirty-five studies examined an external focus of attention, whereas relatively few addressed enhanced expectancies (n = 12) and autonomy support (n = 8). Only 2 explored the interaction between OPTIMAL variables. Results show emerging evidence that OPTIMAL variables contribute to children’s effective motor learning. Despite this initial support, there is a paucity of research regarding the impact of OPTIMAL variables across the full FMS range (i.e. a skewness towards object manipulation skills). Moreover, children’s different developmental characteristics may moderate the beneficial effects of OPTIMAL variables. Additionally, the attentional and motivational mechanisms underpinning OPTIMAL learning (e.g. self-efficacy) in children requires future work. Finally, there is a need for future combinatory research addressing OPTIMAL variables in children (e.g. enhanced expectancies with autonomy support). The theoretical and practical implications of the findings are discussed throughout.

摘要

外部关注焦点、增强的期望和自主支持是增强运动学习的关键独立和交互特征。这些 OPTIMAL（通过内在动机和注意力优化表现）特征已被证明支持成人的运动学习，但它们对儿童运动学习的影响相对未得到充分探索。系统地审查了 55 项研究，以概述 OPTIMAL 变量对儿童运动学习的影响，特别是基础运动技能 (FMS)。35 项研究检查了外部关注焦点，而相对较少的研究涉及增强的期望 ( n  = 12) 和自主支持 ( n = 8）。只有 2 个探讨了 OPTIMAL 变量之间的相互作用。结果显示新的证据表明 OPTIMAL 变量有助于儿童的有效运动学习。尽管有最初的支持，但关于优化变量在整个 FMS 范围内的影响的研究很少（即对对象操作技能的偏斜）。此外，儿童不同的发育特征可能会调节 OPTIMAL 变量的有益影响。此外，支持儿童最佳学习（例如自我效能）的注意力和激励机制需要未来的工作。最后，未来需要针对儿童的最佳变量进行组合研究（例如，通过自主支持增强期望）。研究结果的理论和实践意义贯穿始终。