Feedback

Welcome to the World of Feedback!

Ever wondered how you manage to get better at shooting hoops or perfecting your swim stroke? It isn’t just about practice; it’s about Feedback. Think of feedback as the "GPS" for your sports performance—it tells you where you are, where you want to go, and how to get back on track when you make a wrong turn. In this chapter, we will explore the different ways we receive information about our movements and how they help us learn.

Don't worry if some of these terms sound technical at first. By the end of these notes, you'll be identifying feedback everywhere in your daily PE lessons!

1. What is Feedback?

In Exercise and Sports Science, feedback is the information a performer receives about their performance. It can happen during the action or after it’s finished. Its main goal is to help you compare your actual performance with your target performance.

2. The Two Main Sources of Feedback

Feedback is usually divided into two categories based on where the information comes from: Internal and External.

A. Internal Feedback (Intrinsic)

This comes from within your own body. It is the "feeling" of the movement. Your muscles, joints, and balance sensors tell your brain what is happening.

Example: A gymnast "feeling" that their legs are straight during a handstand without having to look in a mirror.

Analogy: Imagine playing a video game where you can feel the vibration in the controller—that’s like your body telling you something happened without you needing to see the screen!

B. External Feedback (Extrinsic / Augmented)

This comes from outside sources. This information "augments" (adds to) what you are already feeling internally.

Example: A coach shouting "Good job!", seeing your score on a scoreboard, or watching a video replay of your sprint.

Did you know? External feedback is especially important for beginners because they haven't learned what a "perfect" movement feels like yet!

Quick Review:
• Internal: From your senses (feel).
• External: From others or equipment (see/hear).

3. Focus of Feedback: KR vs. KP

We can also categorize feedback by what the information is telling us. This is a very common topic in exams!

Knowledge of Results (KR)

This is information about the outcome or the final score. Did you succeed or fail?

Example: Seeing that the ball went into the net, or hearing the referee say "Out!" in tennis.

Knowledge of Performance (KP)

This is information about the quality of the movement or the technique itself, regardless of the result.

Example: A coach telling a swimmer, "Your elbow was too low during that stroke." Even if the swimmer won the race, their technique might still need fixing.

Memory Trick:
• KR = Result (The Score).
• KP = Process (The Technique).

4. Timing of Feedback

When you receive the information is just as important as what the information is!

Concurrent Feedback

This happens during the performance. It allows you to make adjustments right away.

Example: A marathon runner checking their watch to see their pace while running and deciding to speed up.

Terminal Feedback

This happens after the performance has ended.

Example: A coach giving a team talk in the locker room after a football match.

Key Takeaway: Concurrent feedback is great for continuous sports (like cycling), while Terminal feedback is better for skills that happen very fast (like a golf swing).

5. Application: How to Use Feedback to Learn

How we use feedback changes as we get better at a sport. Let's look at the difference between a Novice (beginner) and an Expert.

For the Novice (Beginner):

• They rely heavily on External Feedback because they don't have the "feel" for the skill yet.
• They need lots of Knowledge of Results (KR) to stay motivated.
• Feedback should be simple and immediate so they don't get confused.

For the Expert (Advanced):

• They rely more on Internal Feedback. They often know they made a mistake the moment the ball leaves their hand!
• They look for detailed Knowledge of Performance (KP) to fine-tune their elite skills.
• They can handle Delayed Feedback because they can remember their performance clearly.

6. Summary Table

Use this table to quickly remember the different types of feedback:

Type | Description | Example
Internal | From your own senses | Feeling your balance shift
External | From outside sources | Coach's advice / Video
KR | Focus on the outcome | "The shot was a bullseye"
KP | Focus on the technique | "Keep your head down"
Concurrent | During the action | Checking heart rate while jogging
Terminal | After the action | Post-match analysis

Common Mistakes to Avoid

• Don't confuse KR and KP: Remember, you can have bad KP (bad technique) but still get a good KR (you scored lucky!).
• Feedback Overload: As a coach or student, don't try to use all types at once. Giving a beginner too much KP (technical detail) can cause "paralysis by analysis"—they get so stuck thinking about their feet that they forget to move!

Final Quick Review!

Before you stop, try to answer these 3 questions in your head:
1. If a coach tells you "Good follow-through on that shot," is that KR or KP?
2. Which type of feedback does a pro athlete use more often: Internal or External?
3. What is the name for feedback given during an activity?

Answers: 1. KP (Technique), 2. Internal (The "Feel"), 3. Concurrent.

You've got this! Keep practicing, listen to your feedback, and you'll see your skills improve in no time!