Notes on Introduction to Motor Learning

Introduction to Motor Learning

• Objectives of the Chapter:
  • Understand motor learning vs. motor performance
  • Recognize temporary vs. relatively permanent effects of practice variables
  • Understand transfer designs and their research importance
  • Measure transfer of motor skills

Motor Learning Defined

• Definition:
  • Improved performance indicates potential learning, but does not define it.
  • Motor learning results in permanent capability gains through practice or experience.
• Key Characteristics:
  • Learning from practice/experience is fundamental.
  • Learning is inferred through performance changes; it is not directly observable.
  • It involves processes in the central nervous system (CNS) like plasticity.
  • Changes from learning are relatively permanent, unlike transient performance changes.
  • Factors affecting performance may include transient abilities to form new neural impulses for learning.

Understanding Plasticity

• Plasticity:
  • Refers to CNS's ability to reorganize neural pathways throughout life based on experiences and learning.
  • Occurs under two scenarios:
  • Normal brain development
  • As compensation for lost function or maximizing remaining functions post-injury.

Changes Due to Motor Learning

• Improvements in Motor Skills:
  • Increased automaticity in analyzing stimuli
  • Enhanced ways of selecting and parameterizing responses
  • Development of effective Generalized Motor Programs
  • Establishment of more accurate references and precise feedback

Measuring Learning: Performance Curves

• Performance Curves:
  • Graphs showing individual or average performance versus practice trials.
  • Curves can show various growth patterns:
  • Linear Curve: Uniform improvement
  • Positive Acceleration: Rapid initial gains, slowing over time
  • Negative Acceleration: Quick start but slower improvements later
  • S-Shape: Combination of growth phases.
• Law of Practice:
  • Initially fast improvements can slow down as practice continues.

Limitations of Performance Curves

• Performance curves reflect performance, not learning.
• Issues:
  • Masks between-subject effects
  • Masks within-subject variability
  • Doesn't measure actual learning progress or abilities of outliers.

Effects of Practice on Learning

• Types of Effects:
  • Relatively Permanent Effects: Last long after practice and impact future tasks.
  • Temporary Effects: Dissipate with time or changes in conditions.
  • Both effects can occur simultaneously, requiring effective practice conditions for lasting changes.

Transfer Designs in Learning

• Importance of Transfer Designs:
  • Evaluate learners with retention tests:
  • Retention Tests: Skill practice after a time gap.
  • Transfer Tests: Variants of practiced skill performed after some time.
• Key Features of Transfer Designs:
  • Allow time for temporary effects to fade before assessment.
  • Differences in transfer tests indicate permanent performance capabilities developed from practice.

Transfer of Learning

• Definition of Transfer:
  • Transfer occurs when practice in one task enhances performance in another.
• Types of Transfer:
  • Positive Transfer: Enhances performance
  • Negative Transfer: Decreases performance compared to no additional practice.
• Generalized Transfer:
  • Near Transfer: Skills from very similar tasks (e.g., jumping to walking).
  • Far Transfer: Skills from different tasks or settings.

Practical Application of Learning

• Teaching Skill Example:
  • Selecting a skill (e.g., sports, rehabilitation).
  • Anticipating outcomes and collecting evidence of learning.
  • Ensuring evidence aligns with definitions of learning.