Defining Skill Acquisition in Sport | An Expert Consensus Reached
Key insights: 60-second read
- What is skill acquisition? A new international consensus defines it as the applied science of learning and refining movement across perceptual, cognitive, and motor skills.
- Why it matters for your recovery: The core activities of skill specialists - practice design, individual skill development, and education - directly apply to physiotherapy and rehabilitation.
- From the sporting field to the clinic: Principles like representative learning and individualising the 'challenge point' may help you move better and reduce re-injury risk.
- Transfer from clinic to life: The goal is to ensure the skills you learn translate seamlessly to your daily activities or sport.
When you're dealing with an ache, a persistent pain, or recovering from an injury, the path forward can often feel uncertain. As physiotherapists, our goal is not just to help you feel better today, but to equip you with the skills and movement patterns that will serve you for a lifetime. This requires more than just a set of exercises; it requires an understanding of how you, as an individual, learn and master movement.
A recent, significant study published in the Journal of Sports Sciences titled "Expert consensus on skill acquisition in sport: A Delphi study" (Runswick et al., 2026) has brought together the world's leading experts to define the very field of skill acquisition. While it was conducted in a sporting context, the principles it outlines - how we design practice, develop individual skills, and educate for long-term success - are profoundly relevant to physiotherapy and rehabilitation. Let's explore what this means for your recovery journey.
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What is Skill Acquisition? A Clearer Definition
For too long, the term 'skill acquisition' has been used in different ways, making it hard to apply its insights consistently. This new study used a rigorous Delphi method to consult with 22 international experts, creating a unified consensus. The panel agreed that the field is best defined as:
This definition is powerful because it shifts the focus from simply 'doing' an exercise to understanding the entire process of skill refinement. For you, this means your physiotherapy isn't just about completing a set of movements; it's about the quality of your movement, your perception of it, and the cognitive strategies you use to perform it, whether you're a beginner learning a new movement pattern or an athlete refining a technique.
Inside the Delphi Study: How Experts Reached Consensus
To truly appreciate the significance of this research, it helps to understand how it was conducted. The research team assembled a panel of 22 international experts from across the skill acquisition field. These weren't just academics - the panel included practitioners working in professional sport across three continents, high-performance managers, coach developers, and some of the most noteworthy skill acquisition researchers in the world. Collectively, they brought an average of 15 years of experience in skill acquisition-related roles.
The study used a Delphi method, which is a structured communication technique designed to achieve consensus among a group of experts. Over a three-month period, the panel completed three rounds of anonymous online surveys. In the first round, experts were asked open-ended questions about definitions, roles, and responsibilities. Their responses were analysed thematically, and in subsequent rounds, the panel was asked to rate their agreement with refined statements. This iterative process continued until consensus was reached, with the threshold set at 75% agreement.
Why the Delphi method matters: Unlike a simple survey, the Delphi process allows experts to reflect on the collective wisdom of the group without being influenced by dominant personalities. This anonymity encourages honest feedback and prevents any single individual from unduly swaying the outcome. The result is a true consensus that represents the field's collective expertise.
The panel was asked to consider several key questions: How should the field of skill acquisition be defined? What should we call someone who works in this area? What are their core responsibilities? What knowledge, technical skills, and professional competencies are essential for the role? Through this rigorous process, the experts reached agreement on all key points by the third round.
One important finding was that the panel overwhelmingly agreed that skill acquisition is currently underrepresented in professional sport compared to other fields (91% agreement). Despite coaches and athletes frequently requesting skill acquisition support, the inconsistent articulation of definitions, roles, and responsibilities has hindered broader adoption. This study represents a crucial step toward establishing clear professional pathways and accreditation frameworks.
Key finding from the Delphi study
"The panel reached consensus that skill acquisition specialists represent a unique role within multidisciplinary support teams and defined the field as an applied science addressing the performance, learning, and refinement of perceptual, cognitive, and motor skills across the spectrum from novice to expert performers."
The Role of the 'Skill Specialist'
The study also clarified the role of a professional who applies this science. After considering eight potential terms, the panel ranked Skill Acquisition Specialist as the preferred title. Importantly, the panel agreed that this role is distinct from that of a coach, a psychologist, or even a coach developer. While a coach developer focuses on supporting coaches in their role, a skill acquisition specialist requires more specialised knowledge of the science of learning and skill refinement.
Through qualitative analysis of the experts' responses, the researchers identified three overarching activities that define the work of a skill acquisition specialist, which we directly mirror in physiotherapy:
- Support Practice Design: This involves creating the right conditions for learning. In a clinical setting, this translates to designing exercises that are representative of your daily activities or sport, ensuring the skills you learn with us transfer seamlessly to your life. The experts specifically highlighted themes like 'transfer and performance under pressure', 'coach behaviour', and 'practice activities' as core to this domain.
- Facilitate Individual Skill Development: No two people move the same way. A specialist individualises the approach, managing the 'cognitive load' and 'challenge point' to ensure you're always progressing without being overwhelmed. This domain included technique change, measurement and monitoring of skill performance, and long-term planning for skill development.
- Provide Education and Development: A key part of the role is to educate you. Understanding why we're doing a particular exercise empowers you and helps build the long-term habits that prevent re-injury. The panel noted that this extends to coach and athlete education, evaluation of new technologies, and facilitating reflective practice within organisations.
The panel also reached consensus on the essential knowledge areas required for effective practice. All 59 topics of knowledge presented to the panel were rated as at least partially needed, with those related to practice design and optimisation of learning being rated as 'definitely needed' by the highest percentage of experts. Similarly, technical skills such as measuring performance, learning, retention, and transfer were rated as most important.
From Sport Science to Physiotherapy: What This Means for You
The study's findings resonate deeply with how we approach rehabilitation. The experts in the paper identified a core activity for skill specialists: facilitating the transfer of learning from training to competition. In a physiotherapy context, this is typically the transfer from specific, isolated exercises - like a muscle activation exercise, to real-world activities - be it walking, playing with your kids, or returning to your favourite sport.
Why individualisation matters: The panel emphasised the importance of managing the 'challenge point' of activities. This means the difficulty of your exercises should never feel too hard or too easy. If an exercise is too easy, there's no adaptation. If it's too hard, it can lead to poor technique, frustration, or re-injury. Our role is to find that 'sweet spot' where you are challenged just enough to learn and improve, but not enough to tip you over the dysfunctional edge.
The panel also noted that other disciplines would benefit from knowledge of skill acquisition, including coaches, strength and conditioning coaches, biomechanists, performance analysts, psychologists, and - importantly for our context - physiotherapists and rehabilitation specialists. This recognition from the experts validates what we've long observed in clinical practice: understanding how people learn and refine movement is fundamental to effective rehabilitation.
A Note on the Evidence Base
It's also important to acknowledge what the study's authors themselves highlighted: the evidence base in this field, like many others, is constantly evolving. The researchers remind us that we must "critically evaluate the evidence at hand and understand that our knowledge needs to be developed iteratively as the field progresses" (Runswick et al., 2026). This is a principle we should always respect. We shouldn't claim to have all the answers, but are committed to staying abreast of the best available evidence and integrating it with our clinical experience to provide you with the most effective, up-to-date care.
The authors also caution that while accreditation frameworks can help ensure high-quality practice, they should not be used to create unnecessary barriers or constrain the field. Instead, professional development pathways should increase access and be continuously monitored and improved. This balanced perspective reflects the maturity of the field and its commitment to growth while maintaining quality standards.
One profound insight from this post
"Our understanding of how feedback, self-control, and motivation impact the development of skills is still evolving. This doesn't mean practitioners shouldn't exist, but exemplifies the need to understand research and its strengths and weaknesses." - Runswick et al., 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
How does skill acquisition differ from just 'doing exercises'?
Standard exercise prescription focuses on the physical act. Skill acquisition looks at the whole learning process: the quality of the movement, the perception (how you sense your body), and the cognition (the decisions you make). It's about learning how to move skillfully, not just what to move.
Can these principles help with chronic or persistent pain?
Absolutely. Persistent pain often changes the way we move and perceive our bodies. Skill acquisition principles are central to modern persistent pain management. We use them to help 're-train' movement patterns, build confidence, and gradually increase your capacity in a safe, structured way. The individualised, challenge-point approach is particularly helpful.
How can I work with you using this approach in Port Macquarie?
If you're in Port Macquarie, you can book an in-person session at our clinic. We'll assess your movement, discuss your goals, and create a personalised plan that uses these skill-based principles to guide your recovery.
Can this approach work via a Telehealth consultation?
Yes, absolutely. Telehealth is an excellent platform for skill-based work. We can guide you through movements, observe your form, and provide the same high-level, individualised feedback. It allows us to help you design and refine your practice in your own environment, which can enhance the transfer of learning.
What qualifications should a skill acquisition specialist have?
According to the Delphi study, essential knowledge areas include practice design, individual skill development, measurement and monitoring of skill performance, and understanding of the delivery environment. Professional competencies like professional relationships, application of knowledge, and understanding of the delivery environment were rated as most important. This aligns with our approach of combining evidence-informed practice with clinical experience.
If you found this exploration of skill acquisition and physiotherapy helpful, please consider subscribing to the Your Wellness Nerd YouTube channel for more evidence-informed insights. I genuinely hope this helps you understand the 'why' behind your recovery and empowers you to move better.
– Grant
Living With Persistent Pain?
If your pain has lasted longer than expected, feels disproportionate to injury, or hasn't responded to standard treatment, you may benefit from a broader approach. Learn more about our chronic pain physiotherapy services in Port Macquarie.
Want personalised guidance?
If you'd like help making sense of your aches, pains, or ongoing symptoms, you can book with Grant either in Port Macquarie or via telehealth.
Reference: Runswick, O. R., Uiga, L., Ford, P. R., Smeeton, N. J., & Miller-Dicks, M. (2026). Expert consensus on skill acquisition in sport: A Delphi study. Journal of Sports Sciences. https://doi.org/10.1080/02640414.2026.2637044
