Memory for movement sequences in gymnastics: Effects of age and skill level

The authors studied the performances of 8- to 13-year-old skilled (n = 30) and less skilled (n = 30) gymnasts on a gymnastics routine recall task by e xamining the role of memorization strategies and imagery ability. Subjects had to reproduce 3 movement sequences presented on videotape. The number of trials needed to achieve correct recall, the strategies employed, and the subjects' imagery ability were analyzed. Recall performance improved with a ge and skill level. Movement labeling was the most prevalent strategy used; its frequency increased with age, although it did not lead Co better recal l performance. Performance was higher, however, among subjects with better imagery skills. The role of strategy development in the age-related improve ment in memory performance was not clearly demonstrated. The effect of skil l level is interpreted in terms of knowledge bases and kinesthetic movement encoding.