Introduction: Motor learning has been measured differently based on two essential factors of OPTIMAL theory (autonomy support and increased expectations). Giving choice has been widely used in this field, but it has not been fully investigated in the learning of throwing skills according to these two factors.
Purpose: The present study aimed to investigate the benefits of giving choices using the order of practice choice on learning the putting accuracy skills and the psychological components of perceived autonomy and self-efficacy beliefs.
Method: In this quasi-experimental study, 24 novice participants with a mean age of 24.87 ± 3.26 were randomly assigned to experimental (n=12) and yoked (n=12) groups. Immediately after a 10-trial pretest, participants practiced three new tasks (visual cues, auditory cues, chest bar) to putt a golf ball into the center hole in six blocks. Then, the learning was measured during a 24-hour follow-up period under conditions completely similar to the pretest (10 trials).
Findings: The study assessed participants' skill accuracy, perceived autonomy, and self-efficacy across all three experimental phases. Mixed-design analysis of variance revealed that the order in which practice was structured significantly influenced golf putting accuracy, self-efficacy, and perceived autonomy (p ≥ 0.05).
Conclusion: The possibility of task-related small choices enhances perceived autonomy self-efficacy and, which leads to improved motor learning. Therefore, these findings are consistent with optimal theory.