Interlimb Practice and Aging: Coding a Simple Movement Sequence

Abstract

Background/Study Context: The purpose was to determine if aging interacts with the coding of a simple spatial-temporal movement sequence.

Methods: An interlimb practice paradigm (24 participants; 12 young adults [age: 23–29]; 12 old adults [age: 65–78]) was designed to determine the coordinate system (visual-spatial/motor) that is used to code the movement sequence. Practice was scheduled over 2 days involving either the same visual-spatial or the same motor coordinates. On Day 3, two retention tests (Day 1/Day 2) were conducted.

Results: Keeping the motor coordinates the same during acquisition resulted in superior retention only for younger adults.

Conclusion: The data provide strong evidence that the motor code plays a dominant role in acquiring simple movement sequences for younger adults, but not for older adults.

Notes

Note. AC is the condition where participants have practice with both limbs and the same visual-spatial display within the 2 days (see Figure 1). Condition AD indicates target arrangements and initial movement directions as illustrated in Figure 1 and where participants practice with both limbs in the same motor coordinate system. Limb used during acquisition and retention is indicated in parentheses (R, right; L, left). Retention test 1 (R1) where participants within each limb condition are tested on the same task. Retention test 2 (R2) where participants are tested on the task practiced on Day 2.