The effect of visual memory exercises on motor skill acquisition in children starting fencing sport

Aim: Despite the important role of visual memory in the motor skill acquisition process, especially in the cognitive stage, there is a noticeable lack of research examining this role, especially in the field of sport. This gap in the literature points to a significant potential for research that will improve our understanding of motor skill acquisition and the factors affecting it. In this context, the aim of this study is to examine the role of visual memory in the acquisition of a new motor skill, especially in children who are new to fencing. Methods: In the study, within the scope of quantitative research method, a quasi-experimental design with repeated test, experiment and control group was used to examine the effect of visual memory exercises on the motor skill acquisition of athletes who are new to fencing. The population of the study consisted of beginner athletes affiliated to the Turkish Fencing Federation, and the sample consisted of a total of 30 students, 16 female (53.3%) and 14 male (46.7%), who resided in Erzurum and attended the fencing course. In the study, personal information form, Visual n-Back Test and Forward Walk Lunge Skill Performance scale were used as data collection tools. In order to improve the visual memory levels of the participants, visual memory exercises were performed from the digitally created application for a total of 6 weeks, 3 days a week, 30 minutes a day. In order to determine the effect of the visual memory exercise programme on the dependent variable (new motor skill acquisition), a repeated measures two-way analysis of variance (Mixed Measure Two Way ANOVA) was performed. Results: When the results obtained from the study were analysed, it was found that there was a significant difference between the groups in terms of visual memory error rates of the athletes in the experimental and control groups [F(1,28) =19.977, p<.05]. In addition, the analyses performed to determine the effect of the intervention programme showed that there was a significant difference between the two groups in terms of the mean scores of the experimental and control group athletes in the forward lunge skill. Conclusion: It supports that visual memory exercises play an important role in the motor skill acquisition process, especially in the cognitive stage, and that it may be useful to use such exercises to improve the motor skills of children who are new to fencing. This research in the field of sport contributed to the understanding of the relationship between visual memory and motor skills and formed an important basis for future similar studies. Keywords: Memory, Motor Skill Acquisition, Cognitive Stage, Fencing, Forward Lunge