title: Memory dynamics: distance between the new task and existing behavioural patterns affects learning and interference in bimanual coordination in humans.
abstract: In order to study memory and learning dynamics, we examined the effects of the distance between a bimanual pattern to be learned, a relative phase of either 90 degrees, 135 degrees, or 158 degrees, and pre-existing patterns at 0 degrees and 180 degrees. Learning was assessed through a practice task, memory through a synchronization-continuation task, and interference through a prompting task recalling nearby patterns. Results were that (1) interference induced a smaller decrease in accuracy and in stability for the pattern closest to the pre-existing patterns; (2) the withdrawal of the stimulus in the continuation task led to consistent changes in accuracy; and (3) learning rate was faster when the to-be-learned pattern was either far from or close to extant patterns. The findings are discussed in terms of flexibility and robustness of underlying coordination dynamics, and of neural-field dynamic models.
authors.affiliation: EA 2044 Acquisition et Transmission des Habilités Motrices Université Paul Sabatier, Faculty of Sport Sciences, 118, route de Narbonne, 31062 Toulouse Cedex 04, France. kostrubiec@cict.fr
authors.forename: V
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Kostrubiec
authors.forename: P G
authors.initials: PG
authors.lastname: Zanone
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D005542:Forearm / Q000502:physiology; D006801:Humans; D007858:Learning / Q000502:physiology*; D008568:Memory / Q000502:physiology*; D008954:Models, Biological; D011403:Pronation / Q000502:physiology; D011597:Psychomotor Performance / Q000502:physiology*; D013484:Supination / Q000502:physiology