Interlimb practice and aging: coding a simple movement sequence.
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.


CONCLUSIONS
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.
a Human Movement Sciences , Saarland University , Saarbrücken , Germany.
Stefan
S
Panzer
Nicole
N
Gruetzmacher
Thomas
T
Ellenbürger
Charles H
CH
Shea
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000375:Aging / Q000502:physiology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009068:Movement / Q000502:physiology*; D011597:Psychomotor Performance; D013647:Task Performance and Analysis; D055815:Young Adult