An interventional study of Differential Learning and Blocked Practice in Healthy Volunteer Study, sponsored by The Higher Institute of Sport and Physical Education of Sfax. Completed at 1 site in Tunisia. Open to participants aged 18 Years to 25 Years, including healthy volunteers. Per ClinicalTrials.gov, last updated 2026-06-05.
Sponsored by The Higher Institute of Sport and Physical Education of Sfax · Not applicable, Interventional, and Basic science
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.
A two-arm parallel-group randomized controlled trial. One hundred undergraduate sport science students (age 18-25 years) were randomly assigned to differential learning (DL, n=50) or blocked practice (BP, n=50). The DL group performed a 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. The BP group repeated a standardized movement pattern with trial-by-trial corrective feedback. Both groups completed six training sessions over three weeks (two sessions per week, 45 min each). Motor performance (accuracy measured as Euclidean distance from target center) was assessed at baseline, post-intervention (within 48h), and retention (7 days later). Movement variability was quantified using approximate entropy (ApEn) from kinematic data. Theoretical knowledge of motor learning was assessed as a potential moderator. Linear mixed-effects models, moderation analysis, and mediation analysis (bootstrapping) were performed. The trial was retrospectively registered at ClinicalTrials.gov.
The Higher Institute of Sport and Physical Education of Sfax is the lead sponsor of 8 studies on the registry; none are open to participants now.
Counted across the registry records on this site, refreshed daily.
Exclusion Criteria:
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
Participants repeated a standardized movement pattern with trial-by-trial corrective feedback focusing on consistency and accuracy.
Behavioral: Blocked Practice
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.
Participants repeated a standardized movement pattern with trial-by-trial corrective feedback focusing on consistency and accuracy.
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.
Time frame: Baseline, immediately post-intervention (after 3 weeks), and 7-day retention
Movement Variability
Approximate entropy (ApEn) derived from kinematic time-series data recorded during each trial. Higher ApEn values indicate greater movement complexity and adaptability.
Time frame: Baseline, immediately post-intervention (after 3 weeks), and 7-day retention
Plan to share: No
This study is completed, as verified in Jun 2026. You cannot join it, but the record below documents what was studied.
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The Higher Institute of Sport and Physical Education of Sfax