Differential Learning Enhances Motor Performance and Retention in Sport Science Students

NCT07628465 | Completed

• 1 other identifier: ISSEP_DL_BP_2025
• Study Type: interventional
• Target: 100
• Locations: 1 country
• Sites: 1

Brief Summary

This randomized controlled trial compared differential learning (DL) versus blocked practice (BP) on motor performance and retention in 100 sport science students. Participants performed a table tennis topspin serve. DL involved continuous movement variations without corrective feedback; BP involved repetition with corrective feedback. Outcomes included accuracy (Euclidean distance) and movement variability (ApEn). Assessments at baseline, post-intervention (after 6 sessions over 3 weeks), and 7-day retention.

Conditions

Healthy Volunteer Study

Keywords

differential learning; blocked practice; motor performance; retention; movement variability

Outcome Measures

Primary Outcomes (1)

• Motor Performance (Accuracy)

  Euclidean distance (in cm) between the ball's first landing point and the center of the target area during a table tennis topspin serve.

  Baseline, immediately post-intervention (after 3 weeks), and 7-day retention

Secondary Outcomes (1)

• Movement Variability

  Baseline, immediately post-intervention (after 3 weeks), and 7-day retention

Study Arms (2)

Differential Learning Group

EXPERIMENTAL

Participants performed table tennis topspin serve with continuous variations across five movement dimensions (stance, backswing amplitude, execution speed, trunk rotation, wrist action) without corrective feedback.

Behavioral: Differential Learning

Blocked Practice Group

ACTIVE COMPARATOR

Participants repeated a standardized movement pattern with trial-by-trial corrective feedback focusing on consistency and accuracy.

Behavioral: Blocked Practice

Interventions

Differential Learning BEHAVIORAL

Participants performed table tennis topspin serve with continuous pseudo-random variations across five movement dimensions (stance, backswing amplitude, execution speed, trunk rotation, wrist action) without corrective feedback.

Differential Learning Group

Blocked Practice BEHAVIORAL

Participants repeated a standardized movement pattern with trial-by-trial corrective feedback focusing on consistency and accuracy.

Blocked Practice Group

Eligibility Criteria

• Age: 18 Years - 25 Years
• Sex: all
• Healthy Volunteers: Yes
• Age Groups: Adult (18-64)

You may qualify if:

• Undergraduate sport science student
• Age 18 to 25 years
• Physically active but non-expert in table tennis (less than 2 hours per week of structured practice in the past year)
• Absence of self-reported musculoskeletal injury affecting upper or lower limbs
• No known neurological or sleep disorders
• No use of medication affecting motor or cognitive function
• No irregular sleep schedules

You may not qualify if:

• Regular table tennis competition
• Injury preventing practice
• Known sleep disorder
• Inability to provide informed consent

Sponsors & Collaborators

• The Higher Institute of Sport and Physical Education of Sfax: lead

Study Sites (1)

Higher Institute of Sport and Physical Education of Sfax (ISSEP Sfax)

Sfax, 3000, Tunisia

Location

Related Publications (1)

• Chmara P, Brzykcy A, Brazevic S, Jozwiak M. Habitual Physical Activity and Walking Endurance Following Inpatient Rehabilitation in Children With Cerebral Palsy. Cureus. 2026;18(5):e109862.

  BACKGROUND

Study Officials

• Kais El Abed, Phd

  University of Sfax, Tunisia

  PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR

Study Design

• Study Type: interventional
• Phase: not applicable
• Allocation: RANDOMIZED
• Masking: SINGLE
• Who Masked: OUTCOMES ASSESSOR
• Purpose: BASIC SCIENCE
• Intervention Model: PARALLEL
• Sponsor Type: OTHER
• Responsible Party: PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR
• PI Title: PhD, Associate Professor

Study Record Dates

• First Submitted: May 30, 2026
• First Posted: June 5, 2026
• Study Start: June 2, 2025
• Primary Completion: June 30, 2025
• Study Completion: June 30, 2025
• Last Updated: June 5, 2026

Record last verified: 2026-06

Data Sharing

• IPD Sharing: Will not share

Locations

TU (1)