Conscious Control Is Associated With Freezing of Mechanical Degrees of Freedom During Motor Learning |
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| Authors: | Wouter F. van Ginneken Jamie M. Poolton Catherine M. Capio John van der Kamp Cynthia S. Y. Choi Richard S. W. Masters |
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| Affiliation: | 1. The University of Hong Kong, School of Public Health;2. Leeds Beckett University, Cargegie School of Sport, United Kingdom;3. The University of Waikato, Faculty of Health, Sport and Human Performance, New Zealand;4. VU University Amsterdam, Faculty of Behavioural and Movement Sciences, The Netherlands |
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| Abstract: | This study investigated whether conscious control is associated with freezing of mechanical degrees of freedom during motor learning. Participants practiced a throwing task using either error-strewn or error-reduced practice protocols, which encourage high or low levels of conscious control, respectively. After 24 hr, participants engaged in a series of delayed retention and transfer tests. Furthermore, propensity for conscious control was assessed using participants' ratings and freezing was gauged through movement variability of the throwing arm. Performance was defined by mean radial error. In the error-strewn group, propensity for conscious control was positively associated with both freezing and performance. In the error-reduced group, propensity for conscious control was negatively associated with performance, but not with freezing. These results suggest that conscious control is associated with freezing of mechanical degrees of freedom during motor learning. |
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| Keywords: | Attention motor control motor learning |
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