Information Feedback

The conscious brain, using a collection of learned movements, controls the action when we choose to move. For the movement to progress successfully the athlete requires feedback which then allows the athlete to evaluate the effectiveness of the movement performed. There are three loops in this feedback process:

• Exteroceptive feedback - the outcome of the movement through the athlete's senses, observation of the outcome by the athlete, observations from the coach, observations via video
• Proprioceptive feedback - from proprioceptors in the muscle and tendons and the balance sensors that provide information on the 'feel' of the movement. Athletes can use this feedback to make fine adjustments to the movement
• Kinaesthetic feedback - information fed directly into the spinal cord from the muscles, tendons and joints to give information that can be responded to without conscious control

Types of Feedback

The type of feedback used will depend on the performer and the skill being learnt. Feedback can be in the form of:

• Intrinsic feedback -information received by the athlete as a direct result of producing a movement through the kinaesthetic senses - feelings from muscles, joints and balance.
• Extrinsic feedback - information not inherent in the movement itself but which improves intrinsic feedback. This is also known as augmented feedback. There are two main categories:
  • Knowledge of performance (KP) - information about the technique and performance. This can be provided verbally from the coach or visually via video. This enables the athlete to establish a kinaesthetic reference for the correct movement. e.g. an analysis of the sprinter's action.
  • Knowledge of results (KR) - information with regards the result of the athlete's performance e.g. the sprinter's 100 metre time
• Positive feedback - Used to inform the athlete as to what was correct about the movement. Athletes need to know if a movement is correct as this provides the reference point for future execution of the movement. Positive feedback is essential in motivating athletes
• Negative feedback - Used to inform the athlete as to what was incorrect about the movement. Negative feedback must include information on the action(s) required by the athlete to achieve the correct movement
• Terminal feedback - information provided to the athlete before or after the performance
• Concurrent feedback - information provided to the athlete during the performance

Associated Pages

The following Sports Coach pages should be read in conjunction with this page:

• Articles on Coaching
• Coaches Corner
• Coaching Philosophy
• Coaching Resources
• Coaching Skills and Roles
• Coach Assessment
• Communication Skills
• Coaching Styles
• Code of Ethics and Conduct for Sports Coaches
• Principles of Training

• Training Books
• Training Products

Associated Books

The following books provide more information related to this topic:

• The Successful Coach, P. Crisfield et al., ISBN 0 947850 16 3
• USA Track and Field Coaching Manual, J.L. Rogers, ISBN0 88011 604 8
• Strength Training for Coaches, B. Pauletto, ISBN 0 88011 371 5
• Mental Skills - An Introduction for Sports Coaches, C. Sellars, ISBN 0 947850 34 1
• Advanced Studies in Physical Education and Sport, P Beashel et al., ISBN 0 17 4482345
• Physical Education and the Study of Sport, B. Davis et al., ISBN 0 7234 31752
• Essentials of Exercise Physiology, W.D. McArdle et al., ISBN 0 683 30507 7
• Physical Education and Sport Studies, D. Roscoe et al., ISBN 1 901424 20 0
• The World of Sport Examined, P. Beashel et al., ISBN 0 17 438719 9
• Advanced PE for Edexcel, F. Galligan et al., ISBN 0 435 50643 9
• Examining Physical Education, K. Bizley, ISBN 0 435 50660 9
• Sport and PE, K Wesson et al., ISBN 0 340 683821
• PE for you, J. Honeybourne, ISBN 0 7487 3277 2