title: Complimentary lower-level and higher-order systems underpin imitation learning.
abstract: We examined whether the temporal representation developed during motor training with reduced-frequency knowledge of results (KR; feedback available on every other trial) was transferred to an imitation learning task. To this end, four groups first practised a three-segment motor sequence task with different KR protocols. Two experimental groups received reduced-frequency KR, one group received high-frequency KR (feedback available on every trial), and one received no-KR. Compared to the no-KR group, the groups that received KR learned the temporal goal of the movement sequence, as evidenced by increased accuracy and consistency across training. Next, all groups learned a single-segment movement that had the same temporal goal as the motor sequence task but required the imitation of biological and nonbiological motion kinematics. Kinematic data showed that whilst all groups imitated biological motion kinematics, the two experimental reduced-frequency KR groups were on average ∼ 800 ms more accurate at imitating movement time than the high-frequency KR and no-KR groups. The interplay between learning biological motion kinematics and the transfer of temporal representation indicates imitation involves distinct, but complementary lower-level sensorimotor and higher-level cognitive processing systems.
authors.affiliation: Brain and Behaviour Laboratory, Research Institute for Sport and Exercise Sciences, Faculty of Science, Liverpool John Moores University, Liverpool, UK.
authors.forename: Matthew
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Andrew
authors.affiliation: Brain and Behaviour Laboratory, Research Institute for Sport and Exercise Sciences, Faculty of Science, Liverpool John Moores University, Liverpool, UK.
authors.forename: Simon J
authors.initials: SJ
authors.lastname: Bennett
authors.affiliation: Brain and Behaviour Laboratory, Research Institute for Sport and Exercise Sciences, Faculty of Science, Liverpool John Moores University, Liverpool, UK; Department of Kinesiology, McMaster University, Ontario, Canada.
authors.forename: Digby
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Elliott
authors.affiliation: Brain and Behaviour Laboratory, Research Institute for Sport and Exercise Sciences, Faculty of Science, Liverpool John Moores University, Liverpool, UK. Electronic address: s.hayes@ljmu.ac.uk.
authors.forename: Spencer J
authors.initials: SJ
authors.lastname: Hayes
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D001696:Biomechanical Phenomena; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007100:Imitative Behavior / Q000502:physiology*; D007721:Knowledge of Results, Psychological; D007858:Learning / Q000502:physiology*; D008297:Male; D009048:Motor Skills; D009068:Movement; D011897:Random Allocation; D014163:Transfer, Psychology; D055815:Young Adult
keywords: Biological motion; Imitation; Knowledge-of-results; Motor training; Transfer