title: Refining the continuous tracking paradigm to investigate implicit motor learning.
abstract: In two experiments we investigated factors that undermine conclusions about implicit motor learning in the continuous tracking paradigm. In Experiment 1, we constructed a practice phase in which all three segments of the waveform pattern were random, in order to examine whether tracking performance decreased as a consequence of time spent on task. Tracking error was lower in the first segment than in the middle segment and lower in the middle segment than in the final segment, indicating that tracking performance decreased as a function of increasing time-on-task. In Experiment 2, the waveform pattern presented in the middle segment was identical in each trial of practice. In a retention test, tracking performance on the repeated segment was superior to tracking performance on the random segments of the waveform. Furthermore, substitution of the repeated pattern with a random pattern (in a transfer test) resulted in a significantly increased tracking error. These findings imply that characteristics of the repeated pattern were learned. Crucially, tests of pattern recognition implied that participants were not explicitly aware of the presence of a recurring segment of waveform. Recommendations for refining the continuous tracking paradigm for implicit learning research are proposed.
authors.affiliation: Institute of Human Performance, The University of Hong Kong, <location>Hong Kong SAR, China</location> Department of Surgery, The University of Hong Kong, <location>Hong Kong SAR, China</location>
authors.forename: F F
authors.initials: FF
authors.lastname: Zhu
authors.affiliation: Institute of Human Performance, The University of Hong Kong, <location>Hong Kong SAR, China</location>
authors.forename: J M
authors.initials: JM
authors.lastname: Poolton
authors.affiliation: Institute of Human Performance, The University of Hong Kong, <location>Hong Kong SAR, China</location>
authors.forename: J P
authors.initials: JP
authors.lastname: Maxwell
authors.affiliation: Department of Surgery, The University of Hong Kong, <location>Hong Kong SAR, China</location>
authors.forename: J K M
authors.initials: JK
authors.lastname: Fan
authors.affiliation: Department of Surgery, The University of Hong Kong, <location>Hong Kong SAR, China</location>
authors.forename: G K K
authors.initials: GK
authors.lastname: Leung
authors.affiliation: Institute of Human Performance, The University of Hong Kong, <location>Hong Kong SAR, China</location>
authors.forename: R S W
authors.initials: RS
authors.lastname: Masters
mesh_terms: D000704:Analysis of Variance; D001288:Attention / Q000502:physiology*; D005240:Feasibility Studies; D005260:Female; D064368:Healthy Volunteers; D006801:Humans; D007858:Learning / Q000502:physiology*; D008297:Male; D021641:Recognition, Psychology / Q000502:physiology*; D012153:Retention, Psychology / Q000502:physiology*; D014163:Transfer, Psychology; D055815:Young Adult
keywords: complexity control; continuous tracking task; implicit learning; time-on-task effect