There must be a Catch in it Somewhere!

Abstract

In a series of three experiments, the effect of training under restricted light conditions on one-handed catching performance is investigated. Training in the dark - with only a luminous ball visible - is shown to produce performances equivalent to those of subjects who train in full light provided that sessions of training in the dark are interspersed with trials in full-light. A proportion of the increase in performance, following on training under the restricted light condition, is demonstrated to be attributable to increases in spatial accuracy. The positive changeover effects - from training in the dark to performing in the light - and the negative effects - from performing in the light to training in the dark - are shown to be attributable to increases/decreases in spatial accuracy (additional increases/decreases in temporal accuracy also are not excluded - the methodology used, however, did not allow categorical statements in this respect to be made). These findings are discussed from the point of view of two contrasting theoretical frameworks - information-processing and ecological psychology.