The effect of contextual interference and age differences (children-teenagers) on learning selected techniques of wrestling

Abstract

The aim of this study was to assess the effects of contextual interference and age differences on learning selected techniques of wrestling. Based on the type of exercise (random-blocked) and age difference (children-teenagers), 80 participants unfamiliar with techniques of wrestling were organized in four different exercise groups (children / random, children / blocked, teen / random, teen / blocked). Using a training movie, techniques of flying mare, duck under arms, and rear throw were taught to all training groups. Blocked training groups exercised each technique 24 times a session and for 3 sessions. Random practice groups exercised each technique 8 times and completely randomly for three sessions. Retention and transfer tests were taken twenty-four hours after attending training sessions. Results of two-way ANOVA showed that age was the only significant effect in the retention phase and teenagers showed a better performance in all three techniques. The effect of age on performing flying mare and rear throw was significant in transfer phase implying teenagers’ better performance. Moreover, random training groups performed duck under arm and rear throw significantly better than blocked training groups (P≤ 0.05). It seems that the factor of exerting appropriate body strength that is important for wrestling techniques was the reason of the better performance. In transfer phase non excellence of blocked and random practice was likely due to the complexity of the flying mare technique. According to the results of transfer phase, random training of wrestling techniques is recommended.