The Effect of Sequence Learning on Sensorimotor Adaptation.

다국어 초록 (Multilingual Abstract)

Background: Sensorimotor learning and sequence learning are the two processes of motor skill acquisition. These two processes typically occur together in nature and share much in common. However, they are almost always studied in isolation.Objectives: The current study implemented both sequence learning and sensorimotor learning into a reaching task to study the influence of sequence component on sensorimotor learning.Materials and Methods: In both experiments, a distance-dependent force field was used to induce force field in a reaching task. In experiment 1, sequence of target positions was added to the force field adaptation task. There were 12 different reaching directions in one sequence. In experiment 2, sequence of force directions was applied and there were 3 different force directions.Results: Sensorimotor learning and sequence learning occurred in both experiments. In experiment 1, learning the sequence of target positions did not facilitate or impair the adaptation performance. In experiment 2, learning the sequence of force directions increased retention and made the re-learning of the force field faster.Conclusions: When the process of learning a sequence and a sensorimotor force field occur simultaneously, we found the sequence component did not occupy the sensorimotor learning resources, and both processes were able to take place. Certain forms of the sequence learning could facilitate the sensorimotor adaptation rate and increase retention of learning.