The importance of self-regulated learning of motor and sport skills in physical education

Abstract

Self-regulated learning (SRL) includes the cognitive, metacognitive, behavioral, motivational, and emotional/affective aspects of learning. It is, therefore, an extraordinary umbrella under which a considerable number of variables that influence learning (e.g., self-efficacy, volition, cognitive strategies) are studied within a comprehensive and holistic approach. For that reason, SRL has become one of the most important areas of research within educational psychology. First, a brief overview of self-regulated learning is provided focusing on social cognitive models of self-regulation development. Then, research conducted in physical education settings adopting a social cognitive perspective of self-regulated learning is reviewed. Research findings support the effectiveness of the four-level training model of self-regulation development. According to this model, students learn effectively motor and sport skills when they experience sequentially observational, emulative, self-controlled, and self-regulated learning.