Some Contemporary Issues in Motor Learning

Conocimiento de las tendencias de ataques rivales en el bloqueo de voleibol

El objetivo del estudio fue investigar los efectos de proporcionar información probabilística, obtenida del análisis en vídeo de las tendencias de pase de las colocadoras oponentes, sobre el rendimiento en el bloqueo de una jugadora de alto nivel de voleibol. Se analizó su tiempo de reacción, toma de decisión y calidad de ejecución durante 1117 acciones de bloqueo realizadas en 18 partidos de competición, antes y después de recibir esa información contextual de los ataques rivales. Los resultados revelaron que la bloqueadora reaccionó antes (p < .001) en aquellos partidos que recibió información sobre las tendencias de pase de las colocadoras oponentes. En cambio, esta información contextual no tuvo influencia sobre sus decisiones, ni en la calidad de ejecución de sus movimientos. Estos resultados refuerzan el uso de información probabilística como una estrategia competitiva para iniciar antes una respuesta preparatoria a la acción de bloqueo en voleibol de alto nivel.

Characterising initial sprint acceleration strategies using a whole-body kinematics approach

Sprint acceleration is an important motor skill in team sports, thus consideration of techniques adopted during the initial steps of acceleration is of interest. Different technique strategies can be adopted due to multiple interacting components, but the reasons for, and performance implications of, these differences are unclear. 29 professional rugby union backs completed three maximal 30 m sprints, from which spatiotemporal variables and linear and angular kinematics during the first four steps were obtained. Leg strength qualities were also obtained from a series of strength tests for 25 participants, and 13 participants completed the sprint protocol on four separate occasions to assess the reliability of the observed technique strategies. Using hierarchical agglomerative cluster analysis, four clear participant groups were identified according to their normalised spatiotemporal variables. Whilst significant differences in several lower limb sprint kinematic and strength qualities existed between groups, there were no significant between-group differences in acceleration performance, suggesting inter-athlete technique degeneracy in the context of performance. As the intra-individual whole-body kinematic strategies were stable (mean CV = 1.9% to 6.7%), the novel approach developed and applied in this study provides an effective solution for monitoring changes in acceleration technique strategies in response to technical or physical interventions.

The challenge of being slow: Effects of tempo, laterality, and experience on dance movement consistency

In dance, music, or sports, reproducibility and consistency as well as bilateral dexterity/coordination of movement are crucial for motor control. Research into the biomechanics of movement consistency and variability is important for motor learning to achieve proficiency and maximize outcome reproduction and stability as well as to reduce the risk of injury. Thirty-six participants were instructed to perform a repetitive circular, ipsilateral motion of arms and legs at three different tempi, while being recorded with optical motion capture. Two velocity-based consistency measures were developed an overall measure of consistency and a laterality difference measure. Maintaining velocity consistency was more challenging at slower than at faster tempi, suggesting that slow movement could require more attentional focus and thus become more variable. Music experience resulted in higher consistency, especially on the subdominant body side, possibly due to extensive bilateral training. Outcomes could have potential implications for music instrument, dance, and sports practice and training.

Learning of the mental nerve block technique with dental anaesthesia simulation models builds motor skills and confidence in dental students

INTRODUCTION

We compared the motor learning, self-confidence whilst performing an anaesthesia technique and the perception of confidence between a group of students trained (G1) with two distinct dental anaesthesia simulation models (DASM) and a group of students (G2) not trained with DASM.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

The G1 students (n = 22) were trained with a learning protocol including a DASM for simulating a puncture and a DASM for simulating an injection of dental anaesthesia. The G2 students (n = 22) received no such training. Both groups performed the mental nerve block (MNB) in a clinical setting, after which the average working time (motor learning), number of times help was requested for performing the MNB (self-confidence) and the scores of a Likert Scale questionnaire (perception of confidence) between the groups were compared with a t test.

RESULTS

Compared with G2, the G1 students showed a shorter average working time (G1, 7:30 ± 0:54 min; G2, 9:06 ± 2:27 min; P = .017). Hence, G1 students had better motor skills. They also requested help when performing the MNB fewer times than the G2 students (G1, 2.2 ± 0.5 times; G2, 4.6 ± 1.95 times; P < .001). On the other hand, the G1 students demonstrated better perception of confidence (Likert Scale questionnaire) when performing the MNB compared with the G2 students (P = .007).

CONCLUSION

The learning protocol with two different DASMs had a positive effect on the motor skills and the confidence of dental students performing the mental nerve block.

Laterality of brain activity during motor imagery is modulated by the provision of source level neurofeedback

Motor imagery (MI) may be effective as an adjunct to physical practice for motor skill acquisition. For example, MI is emerging as an effective treatment in stroke neurorehabilitation. As in physical practice, the repetitive activation of neural pathways during MI can drive short- and long-term brain changes that underlie functional recovery. However, the lack of feedback about MI performance may be a factor limiting its effectiveness. The provision of feedback about MI-related brain activity may overcome this limitation by providing the opportunity for individuals to monitor their own performance of this endogenous process. We completed a controlled study to isolate neurofeedback as the factor driving changes in MI-related brain activity across repeated sessions. Eighteen healthy participants took part in 3 sessions comprised of both actual and imagined performance of a button press task. During MI, participants in the neurofeedback group received source level feedback based on activity from the left and right sensorimotor cortex obtained using magnetoencephalography. Participants in the control group received no neurofeedback. MI-related brain activity increased in the sensorimotor cortex contralateral to the imagined movement across sessions in the neurofeedback group, but not in controls. Task performance improved across sessions but did not differ between groups. Our results indicate that the provision of neurofeedback during MI allows healthy individuals to modulate regional brain activity. This finding has the potential to improve the effectiveness of MI as a tool in neurorehabilitation.