Motor learning, motor memory, and error processing: a correlational study in a ball throwing task

Author(s): Thon, B.

Journal/Book: Cah Psychol Cognitive. 2000; 19: C N R S-C R N C 31, Chemin Joseph Alguier, 13402 Marseille Cedex 20, France. Adrsc-Assoc Diffusion Recherches Sciences Cognitives. 395-415.

Abstract: The purpose of this study was to analyse the relationship between: motor learning, motor memory and error detection in a ball throwing task. During the training session, participants were asked to throw a ball, without vision, on a target placed on the ground (Target Throw) and, immediately after, they had to reproduce the throw they have just made (Reproduction Throw) to evaluate their motor recall ability. Half the subjects had to estimate their own errors before knowledge of results, providing a measure of error recognition. After the 40-trial training session, subjects participated to a transfer test, with target placed at different distances. Performance on the Target Throw improved with practice, while performance on the Reproduction Throw remained unchanged. Target Throw accuracy tended to reach the Reproduction Throw accuracy as practice continued. Thus recall memory seemed to be a limit of performance improvement. Moreover, the correlation between Target Throw and Reproduction Throw performances increased during the training session. Subjects with poor motor recall memory stopped to improve Target Throw performance after a few trials, whereas subjects with a good motor memory continued to progress throughout the session. Performance on the transfer test was also correlated with motor memory. Thus, accurate recall memory processes seemed to be critical for motor learning and transfer. On the contrary, error detection was poor and did not change with practice. No relationship could be found between error detection ability and throwing accuracy during training and transfer. Moreover, subjects engaged in error detection did not learn better than those who did not evaluate their own errors during training. Thus, recall memory seemed to play a more important role than recognition memory in the acquisition and transfer of the throwing skill, at least in such situations in which knowledge of results was provided after every trial.

Note: Article Thon B, Univ Toulouse 3, Lab Rech Act Phys & Sport, EA 2044, 118 Route Narbonne, F-31062 Toulouse, FRANCE

Keyword(s): motor learning; memory; error recognition; CLOSED-LOOP THEORY; SKILL ACQUISITION; RESULTS DELAY; KNOWLEDGE; RETENTION; VARIABILITY; ACCURACY; FEEDBACK; PERFORMANCE; FREQUENCY

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