Developing Fluent, Efficient, and Automatic Repertoires of Athletic Performance

Abstract

The first half of the chapter describes how behavioral principles (e.g., stimulus control, chaining of component skills) are involved in the development of fluent, efficient, and automatic performance. Specifically, we describe the goals of long-term deliberate practice and how performance changes as a result, and review research concerning how practice should be structured to maximize performance gains and maintain motivation for more accomplished athletes. The second half of the chapter describes neuromuscular adaptations that result from prolonged practice and that underlie efficient and automatic performance. Here we describe both neuromuscular (e.g., neuromuscular facilitation and recruitment efficiency) and physiological (e.g., mechanistic and muscle plasticity) changes produced by prolonged engagement at high levels in athletic activities. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2011 APA, all rights reserved)