Which of the following would be suitable for enhancing the performance of an autonomous athlete? (A) Self-paced and distributed practice (B) Closed skills and delayed feedback (C) Distributed practice and delayed feedback (D) Concurrent feedback and tactical development - HSC - SSCE Personal Development and Physical Education - Question 15 - 2014 - Paper 1

To determine which option is most suitable for enhancing the performance of an autonomous athlete, we need to consider the characteristics of autonomous learners. Autonomous athletes thrive on self-reliance and can be more effective with real-time information regarding their performance.

Based on these understandings:

• Self-paced and distributed practice (A): This is helpful but may not maximize performance enhancement since autonomous athletes benefit more from immediate input rather than a distributed approach.

• Closed skills and delayed feedback (B): This option may restrict the athlete's ability to adapt and improve based on real-time information, making it less beneficial for performance enhancement.

• Distributed practice and delayed feedback (C): Although distributed practice is notable, pairing it with delayed feedback is not as effective for autonomous learners who require consistent information on their performance.

• Concurrent feedback and tactical development (D): This combination is the most suited for enhancing the performance of an autonomous athlete. Concurrent feedback provides immediate insights necessary for refining skills, and tactical development ensures that the athlete is not just practicing but evolving in their strategic understanding of their sport.

Therefore, the correct answer is (D) Concurrent feedback and tactical development.