The Science of Getting Better | Ep. 06

Diving deep into the science of skill development and motor learning, we explore Nikolai Bernstein's revolutionary ideas about how humans actually improve at physical activities.

• Unlike machines that wear down with use, living organisms have "exercisability"—we get better through practice
• The vital force theory was wrong—improvement is specific to what you practice, not a general enhancement
• Skills aren't stored as fixed formulas but as dynamic problem-solving capabilities
• Sensory feedback is crucial—your brain constantly makes tiny adjustments based on what you feel and see
• Learning occurs in stages: figuring out the movement pattern, experiencing "aha" moments, automating processes
• "Creative pauses" (plateaus) are normal and necessary for reorganizing control systems
• Thinking too much about automated movements causes deautomation (the centipede's dilemma)
• True practice is "repetition without repetition"—constantly seeking improvement, not mindless repetition
• Building "dynamically stable" movements where physical forces assist rather than hinder performance
• Skill resilience comes from practicing in varied conditions to prevent breakdown under stress

Think about something you're learning right now. What stage are you in? How could understanding these principles change your approach to practice?