The Perception & Action Podcast - Sports Science & Psychology Talk

A replay of our live discussion on the topic skill acquisition in which we covered topics including: Early specialization vs diversification? Deliberate play vs deliberate practice? Are athletes born or made? What fundamental movement skills should a young athlete acquire? What advice would we give ourselves as young athletes if we could go back in time?   Articles/Links: Late specialization: the key to success in centimeters, grams, or seconds (cgs) sport Genomic predictors of trainability Fundamental Movement Skills Are More than Run, Throw and Catch: The Role of Stability Skills   More information: http://perceptionaction.com/ My Research Gate Page (pdfs of my articles) My ASU Web page Podcast Facebook page (videos, pics, etc)   Credits: The Flamin' Groovies - Shake Some Action The Dirtbombs – Get it While You Can The Greenhornes – Saying Goodbye via freemusicarchive.org and jamendo.com

How do people regulate and modify their emotions (e.g., when pretending to like a bad gift)? Is this what is involved in choking under pressure? Why do people slip on ice – is our visual system letting us down, literally? Why does everybody hate fruit cake – a lesson in multisensory perception?   Articles: Esteem threat, self-regulatory breakdown, and emotional distress as factors in self-defeating behavior Temporal links to performing under pressure in international soccer penalty shootouts Reappraising Threat: How to Optimize Performance Under Pressure There's No Prospective Information About Friction, or, Why I Fell Over on the Ice A systems perspective of slip and fall accidents on icy and snowy surfaces Why walkers slip: shine is not a reliable cue for slippery ground On the psychological impact of food colour   More information: http://www.perceptionaction.com/ My Research Gate Page (pdfs of my articles) My ASU Web page Podcast Facebook page (videos, pics, etc) Twitter: @Shakeywaits Email: robgray@asu.e

How can we learn to shoot a basketball by thinking about a cookie jar and learn to putt a golf ball by thinking about toothpaste?!!  Can a novice athlete really become great without being given any verbal instructions about how to actually perform their skill? In the episode, I explore some approaches to learning and coaching sports skills that are radically different to the traditional methods most of us have experienced.  My Research Influences: Barrie Frost, Queens University, https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Barrie_Frost    Links to articles discussed: The implicit benefit of learning without errors Analogy learning and the performance of motor skills under pressure From novice to no know-how: a longitudinal study of implicit motor learning Challenges and Solutions When Applying Implicit Motor Learning Theory in a High Performance Sport Environment: Examples from Rugby League   More information: http://www.perceptionactionpodcast.libsyn.com/ My Research Gate Page (pdfs of my articles) My ASU Web page

My list of the top 5 stories in sports psychology/motor learning in 2015: 5.Skill acquisition is better when things look bigger 4.Is sports psychology research reliable 3.Neurodoping! Becoming a better athlete with brain stimulation 2.Yes, Virginia! There is a hot hand! 1.Perceptual-cognitive training in sports: science or snake oil?   Articles/links: Visual illusions can facilitate sport skill learning Manipulating target size influences perceptions of success when learning a dart-throwing skill but does not impact retention Enhanced expectancies facilitate golf putting Estimating the reproducibility of psychological science Replication in Psychological Science Non-invasive Human Brain Stimulation in Cognitive Neuroscience: A Primer Cathodal Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation Over Left Dorsolateral Prefrontal Cortex Area Promotes Implicit Motor Learning in a Golf Putting Task Surprised by the Gambler's and Hot Hand Fallacies? A Truth in the Law of Small Numbers https://thebrainstimulator.net/shop/ https

A discussion with Josh Miller, Assistant Professor of Decision Sciences at Bocconni University, about his and Adam Sanjurjo’s recent work which has reversed the findings of 30 years of research on performance streaks in sports. Their work provides pretty convincing evidence that the hot hand is not a fallacy or illusion after all. I try (and fail) to explain the sampling bias they identified in my own words. In addition we discuss performance under pressure, how athletes know a teammate is hot or not, slumps and the future of research in this area.   More information about my guest: http://didattica.unibocconi.eu/mypage/index.php?IdUte=111643&cognome=MILLER&nome=JOSHUA%20BENJAMIN&urlBackMy=   Articles/links: Is it a Fallacy to Believe in the Hot Hand in the NBA Three-Point Contest? Surprised by the Gambler's and Hot Hand Fallacies? A Truth in the Law of Small Numbers Collection of reactions to Josh and Adam’s papers   More information: http://perceptionaction.com/ My Research Gate Page (pdfs of my

News: Do soccer goalkeepers suffer from the gambler’s fallacy in penalty shoot-outs? Are expert sailors better at judging the direction of wind from the feel on their skin?    Articles: The gambler's fallacy in penalty shootouts Expertise effects in cutaneous wind perception   More information: http://www.perceptionactionpodcast.libsyn.com/ My Research Gate Page (pdfs of my articles) My ASU Web page Podcast Facebook page (videos, pics, etc) Twitter: @Shakeywaits Email: robgray@asu.edu   Credits: The Crevulators – Gambler’s Blues JC Brooks & The Uptown Sound – Bad News Beach Baby – Glove Compartment via freemusicarchive.org     

How do fans perceive the action going on in sports?  Does your ability to watch a sport improve with hours of practice in front of your TV?  How does the perception of fans differ from the perception of the athletes themselves? Why was the Fox puck pure evil? Articles/links: Action anticipation and motor resonance in elite basketball players Foul or dive? Motor contributions to judging ambiguous foul situations in football Psychophysiological Responses of Sport Fans   The Fox Puck: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=grOttsHuuzE   More information: http://perceptionaction.com/ My Research Gate Page (pdfs of my articles) My ASU Web page Podcast Facebook page (videos, pics, etc) Twitter: @Shakeywaits Email: robgray@asu.edu   Credits: The Flamin' Groovies - Shake Some Action Mark Lanegan - Saint Louis Elegy via freemusicarchive.org

How do we use vision to control the placement of our feet on rough terrain, to avoid spraining that ankle?  How do anxiety, fear and fatigue change the way we perform these activities?  What differs between elite and novice climbers?  Did I survive a rim to rim hike in the Grand Canyon? Let’s hit the trail…. Articles: Visual control of foot placement when walking over complex terrain Anxiety–performance relationships in climbing: a process-oriented approach Anxiety-induced changes in movement behaviour during the execution of a complex whole-body task. Changes in the perception of action possibilities while climbing to fatigue on a climbing wall Practice with anxiety improves performance, but only when anxious: evidence for the specificity of practice hypothesis Short report: the effect of expertise in hiking on recognition memory for mountain scenes   More information: http://perceptionaction.com/ My Research Gate Page (pdfs of my articles) My ASU Web page Podcast Facebook page (videos, pics, etc) Twitter: @

Is Pearl Izumi right: “marathons have changed from a race to run to a box to be checked”? Is Associative or Dissociative Attention better for running and how does it depend on pace?   Articles/links: http://community.runnersworld.com/topic/pearl-izumi-ad-campaign?reply=54776376858447655 Attentional focus in endurance activity: new paradigms and future directions A social-cognitive perspective of perceived exertion and exertion tolerance Marathon Training Academy podcast   More information: http://perceptionaction.com/ My Research Gate Page (pdfs of my articles) My ASU Web page Podcast Facebook page (videos, pics, etc) Twitter: @Shakeywaits Email: robgray@asu.edu   Credits: The Flamin' Groovies - Shake Some Action Mark Lanegan - Saint Louis Elegy via freemusicarchive.org

A discussion with Keith Davids, Professor of Motor Learning at Sheffield Hallam University and an innovator of the constraints lead approach to skill acquisition and coaching. We discuss using ecological dynamics to study sports performance, sport analytics, ecological psychology, team coordination and designing for exercise and health promotion.    More information about my guest: http://www.shu.ac.uk/research/cser/professor-keith-davids http://www.humankinetics.com/products/all-products/dynamics-of-skill-acquisition https://www.routledge.com/products/9780415744393 http://www.amazon.com/Visual-Perception-Action-Sport-Davids/dp/041918290X https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K17791XqNqU   More information: http://perceptionaction.com/ My Research Gate Page (pdfs of my articles) My ASU Web page Podcast Facebook page (videos, pics, etc) Twitter: @Shakeywaits Email: robgray@asu.edu   Credits: The Flamin' Groovies - Shake Some Action Lo Fi is Hi Fi - I’m on a Talk Show Mark Lanegan - Saint Louis Elegy via freemusicarc

News: Why is it so difficult to play against left-handed opponents in sports? Will you drivers be ready when automated cars need them to take over?   Articles: Skilled players' and novices' difficulty anticipating left- vs. right-handed opponents' action intentions varies across different points in time What determines the take-over time? An integrated model approach of driver take-over after automated driving   More information: http://www.perceptionactionpodcast.libsyn.com/ My Research Gate Page (pdfs of my articles) My ASU Web page Podcast Facebook page (videos, pics, etc) Twitter: @Shakeywaits Email: robgray@asu.edu   Credits: Mr & Mrs Smith – Left Handed Right Handed Blues JC Brooks & The Uptown Sound – Bad News Andy Wagner – Driver’s Seat   via freemusicarchive.org 

My Review of the book “See to Play, The Eyes of Elite Athletes” by Dr Michael Peters. Do I see eye to eye with his views on the role of vision in sports?   Articles/links: http://www.amazon.com/See-To-Play-Elite-Athletes/dp/1938008006   More information: http://perceptionaction.com/ My Research Gate Page (pdfs of my articles) My ASU Web page Podcast Facebook page (videos, pics, etc) Twitter: @Shakeywaits Email: robgray@asu.edu   Credits: The Flamin' Groovies - Shake Some Action Mark Lanegan - Saint Louis Elegy via freemusicarchive.org  

Making adjustments to a heavily practiced, well established skill can be one of the most difficult tasks required of an experienced athlete. Although there can be several situations in sport for which this is required (e.g., rule or/and equipment changes, advancement to a higher level of play), there are a dearth of empirical studies that have examined the processes underlying successful technique change. In this episode, I explore what is involved in: opening an athlete’s performance black box to get the new technique in place and then hiding the key so that it is resistant to the effects of pressure.  Research confessions: Why aren’t practitioners reading our papers?   Links to articles discussed: Switching tools: perceptual-motor recalibration to weight changes Two methods for recommending bat weights On the fragility of skilled performance: what governs choking under pressure? Refining and regaining skills in fixation/diversification stage performers: the Five-A Model A case study of technical change and

Ice, Ice Baby! As the thermometer keeps dropping what effect will the cold weather have on the perceptual-motor abilities of athletes? Articles/links: Effects of moderate cold on performance of psychomotor and cognitive tasks A Meta-Analysis of Performance Response Under Thermal Stressors Interactions between cold ambient temperature and older age on haptic acuity and manual performance http://espn.go.com/video/clip?id=12137030 http://archive.advancedfootballanalytics.com/2007/11/nfl-home-field-advantage-by-climate.html http://archive.advancedfootballanalytics.com/2008/01/cold-weather-effect-on-scoring.html   More information: http://perceptionaction.com/ My Research Gate Page (pdfs of my articles) My ASU Web page Podcast Facebook page (videos, pics, etc) Twitter: @Shakeywaits Email: robgray@asu.edu   Credits: The Flamin' Groovies - Shake Some Action Mark Lanegan - Saint Louis Elegy via freemusicarchive.org  

The Perception & Action Podcast is going LIVE and I want you to be involved (or at least just watch). On Wednesday November 11, 2015 at 9AM AZ/8 AM PST I will host my first live discussion on the general topic of skill acquisition using blab.im.  My co-host for this topic will be performance advisor and coach for the NFL, Shawn Myszka.   Blab.im is a new platform which allows up to 4 people to video chat.  The fun thing is that people can jump in an out for as long as they like and "fill the seats" around the discussion table. There is also a chat room for people to get side discussions going and/or ask questions. To subscribe so you will be notified when we do go live please go to: https://blab.im/rob-gray-the-perception-action-podcast-live-skill-acquisition-in-sports-1 For more information please see: http://perceptionaction.com/live/ If you can't make the live event the audio will be used to create a future podcast episode and the video will be posted on http://perceptionaction.com/live/ Finally, I wil

A discussion with Shawn Myszka, movement skills trainer for the National Football League. We discuss connecting research and practice, technique change, dealing with injury, choking under pressure and look at the constraints lead or dynamic systems approach to skill acquisition.    More information about my guest: https://footballbeyondthestats.wordpress.com/ http://www.optimizemovement.com/sq/35323-movement-mastery-intro https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCI0sfP6vEMuR-EyC673uplg   More information: http://perceptionaction.com/ My Research Gate Page (pdfs of my articles) My ASU Web page Podcast Facebook page (videos, pics, etc) Twitter: @Shakeywaits Email: robgray@asu.edu   Credits: The Flamin' Groovies - Shake Some Action Lo Fi is Hi Fi - I’m on a Talk Show Mark Lanegan - Saint Louis Elegy via freemusicarchive.org

The second installment of My Head Training Journey where I examine whether a smart phone app can improve sports performance. Does the luge game race to the finish or going flying off the track?  My first episode on this topic can be found here: http://perceptionaction.com/11d   Articles/Links: http://headtrainer.com/#/ As soon as the bat met the ball, I knew it was gone”: Outcome prediction, hindsight bias, and the representation and control of action in expert and novice baseball players Visual and skill effects on soccer passing performance, kinematics, and outcome estimations   More information: http://perceptionaction.com/ My Research Gate Page (pdfs of my articles) My ASU Web page Podcast Facebook page (videos, pics, etc) Twitter: @Shakeywaits Email: robgray@asu.edu   Credits: The Flamin' Groovies - Shake Some Action Mark Lanegan - Saint Louis Elegy via freemusicarchive.org  

How prevalent are superstitious rituals in sports e.g., always wearing the same socks, eating the same meal or listening to the same music on game day? Do they serve actually serve a purpose?   Articles: Superstitious behavior in sport: Levels of effectiveness and determinants of use in three collegiate sports Superstitious Behavior Among American and Japanese Professional Baseball Players   More information: http://www.perceptionactionpodcast.libsyn.com/ My Research Gate Page (pdfs of my articles) My ASU Web page Podcast Facebook page (videos, pics, etc) Twitter: @Shakeywaits Email: robgray@asu.edu   Credits: Port City Music – Night Terrors Out of Orion – Horror House Little Debbie – Halloween Instrumental Aritus –Path of Witches Shrink - Fearworks Blik – Halloween Rendezvous Nightfall-Psicodreams Lullaby for the Darkness - Psicodreams Monk Turner –Halloween Night     via freemusicarchive.org 

Recovering from an injury can be one of the most difficult challenges an athlete can face.  In this episode I discuss two topics related to this issue. First, I look at the growing epidemic that is sport related concussions  and consider issues related to detection, assessment, multiple concussion syndrome, and when an athlete can return to play.  Second, I discuss the role of attention in recovery from knee and elbow injuries and how we might get an athlete to stop being overly focused on their injury.   Technically Challenged: A few podcast recommendations   Links to articles discussed: Sport-related concussions: a review of epidemiology, challenges in diagnosis, and potential risk factors Neuropsychological testing for sports-related concussion: how athletes can sandbag their baseline testing without detection Perceptual relearning of complex visual motion after V1 damage in humans The effects of attentional focus on jump performance and knee joint kinematics in patients after ACL reconstruction   Other po

Dynavision is a visual training device that has been marketed for improving sports performance and has been around for roughly 25 years.  It has received a lot of anecdotal support from athlete but what does the research say about its effectiveness.  Surely, in 25 years there must be a ton of studies that have evaluated it? What can we learn from this case study of visual training in sport?   Articles: High-Performance Vision Training Improves Batting Statistics for University of Cincinnati Baseball Players An Exploratory Study of the Potential Effects of Vision Training on Concussion Incidence in Football The impact of a sports vision training program in youth field hockey players The influence of sport goggles on visual target detection in female intercollegiate athletes L-alanyl-L-glutamine ingestion maintains performance during a competitive basketball game   More information: http://perceptionaction.com/ My Research Gate Page (pdfs of my articles) My ASU Web page Podcast Facebook page (videos, pics, etc)