Title: The learning of complex whole body activity (downhill skiing) by simulation

Authors: Eddi Pianca; William Green

Addresses: Faculty of Arts and Design, University of Canberra, ACT 2601, Australia ' Faculty of Arts and Design, University of Canberra, ACT 2601, Australia

Abstract: This paper reports on an experiment the aim of which was to determine whether a complex full body activity, learnt on a new prototype simulator, can be transferred into the real world. The activity was 'continuous linked ski turns' as performed in downhill skiing and the new simulator was designed and built by the author. Although the benefits of simulators in areas such as aviation and medicine are well documented, there is little published evidence that complex whole-body movements learnt via simulation are effective in the real world. In scope, this paper covers the development of a programme for learning complex skiing skills on the new simulator, a programme for transferring those skills into the real world and an experiment to test for transference of those skills. The results from this research provided some tentative evidence to support the research aim.

Keywords: complex activities; whole-body activity; coordination; simulation; activity learning; downhill skiing; skills transfer.

DOI: 10.1504/IJHFE.2014.067842

International Journal of Human Factors and Ergonomics, 2014 Vol.3 No.2, pp.188 - 207

Received: 30 Jun 2014
Accepted: 02 Dec 2014

Published online: 18 Mar 2015 *

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