The added value of point-light display observation combined to physical practice in learning a functional strength training movement for experienced athletes

A number of studies have shown the importance of combining observation with practice when learning an action. Although the Point-Light Display (PLD) technique is frequently used in laboratory contexts to assess the mechanisms underlying observational learning, it has only been infrequently used in ecological contexts. The present study explored whether the components of complex weightlifting movements could be learned by means of an observational learning protocol. To that end, we compared three observation conditions: action observation (Video group), Point-Light Display observation (PLD group), and no human action observation (Control group). Twenty-six athletes participated in a weekly one-hour session for 5 weeks to learn a complex weightlifting movement. During this period, the participants alternated between phases of movement observation, which varied depending on the condition to which they were assigned, and phases of movement execution. There were 12 sets consisting of 2 min of observation and 6 physical repetitions per session. Joint angles at key moments, bar trajectories, and intersegmental coordination were assessed both before (Pre-test) and after (Retention tests) the learning period. The results indicate that both observation conditions had a larger effect on learning than the control condition. Furthermore, the PLD condition was more effective than the video condition for complex intersegmental coordination. This experiment therefore suggests that PLD observation combined with physical practice can be beneficial for the acquisition of complex movements.