Utilizing a Kendama for Transfer of Motor Learning in High School and College Physical Education

Abstract

Classroom activities designed to teach novel upper limb skills can introduce students to the concept of transfer of motor learning through practice. Bilateral transfer of motor learning is the recognized effect of improvement in a physical skill from practicing the skill on the opposite side limb. The aim of this paper is to provide physical educators with guidelines for creating a motor learning activity to promote discussion of and a practice opportunity for students to transfer a movement skill from one hand to the other unpracticed hand. The framework for physical educators to implement a motor learning activity is presented with the example of using a handheldwooden kendama. A kendama has a handle with cup surfaces and a wooden ball on a string such that the ball can be caught in a cup surface. The examples and suggested activity are for high school and college students to practice kendama catches only using the nondominant limb. Students are given an opportunity through this activity to explore if practice on the nondominant hand improved the skill on their other hand.