title: Validation of the Continuous Tracking Paradigm for Studying Implicit Motor Learning.
abstract: A continuous pursuit-tracking task is the typical experimental paradigm to investigate implicit motor learning. Implicit motor learning is proven by a greater improvement in tracking of a repeated segment of a target path compared to random segments ( Pew, 1974 ). Recently, doubts about the validity of results obtained with this paradigm have been raised. Improved tracking of a repeated segment might simply be due to the characteristics of that particular segment. In response to these doubts, we seek to improve the continuous tracking task. Therefore, we computed a pool of 37 distinct target segments. Participants (N = 36) practiced the tracking task, each one with a unique repeated segment in the middle and varying outer segments, all taken from the pool of segments. After five practice blocks of 36 trials each, a test block was performed where the repeated middle segment was replaced with a random segment. The tracking performance on the repeated segment was better than on random segments. Furthermore, we assume that learning was implicit, because participants' answers to a posttest interview showed they were largely unaware of a repeated segment within the curves.
authors.affiliation: 1 Institute for Sports Science, Augsburg University, Augsburg, Germany.
authors.forename: Stefan
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Künzell
authors.affiliation: 1 Institute for Sports Science, Augsburg University, Augsburg, Germany.
authors.forename: Dominicus
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Sießmeir
authors.affiliation: 1 Institute for Sports Science, Augsburg University, Augsburg, Germany.
authors.forename: Harald
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Ewolds
mesh_terms: D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007858:Learning / Q000502:physiology*; D008297:Male; D009039:Motion Perception / Q000502:physiology*; D009048:Motor Skills / Q000502:physiology*; D010775:Photic Stimulation; D055815:Young Adult
keywords: complexity control; continuous tracking task; implicit motor learning