On the role of imagery modalities on motor learning

Abstract

In the present study, we examine specifically how the sensory conditions available during physical practice of a task might influence the subsequent use of motor imagery. First, as a pre-test, participants had to physically reproduce knee joint positions with or without vision. Second, they practised motor imagery (15 and 150 trials) with visual, kinaesthetic or visuo-kinaesthetic imagery. A control group with no imagery was included. Post-tests were then performed 10 min and 24 h after each imagery session in a sensory condition similar to that used in the pre-test. Results showed that efficient motor imagery instructions have to take account of the sensory information available during physical experience of the task: kinaesthetic or visuo-kinaesthetic imagery in a no-vision condition, and visual imagery or, to a lesser extent, visuo-kinaesthetic imagery in a vision condition. Discussion focuses on the role of sensory motor memory on motor prediction to simulate a specific movement, and on the similarities between physical and mental practice in the development of sensory-specific movement representation.     

Error detection processes during observational learning

The purpose of this experiment was to determine whether a faded knowledge of results (KR) frequency during observation of a model's performance enhanced error detection capabilities. During the observation phase, participants observed a model performing a timing task and received KR about the model's performance on each trial or on one of two trials. Delayed retention and transfer tests were used to assess the observer's ability to detect error in the model's performance and in the participant's performance while physically practicing the task. Results indicated a beneficial effect of a reduced KR frequency for performance stability and the ability to detect errors in both the model and the participant's own performance. The results suggest that aspects of the processing mechanism(s) developed in observational learning and related to KR are probably similar to those developed through physical practice.     

Sensory integration in the learning of aiming toward "self-defined" targets

This study aimed at supporting the specificity of learning hypothesis, when aiming was based on internal cues, as directing the hand toward a "self-defined" target location. Participants practiced modest (20 trials) or intensive (720 trials) training with visual and proprioceptive information or proprioceptive information only. Pretests and posttests were performed in sensory conditions that did or did not match the training condition. Results showed that dynamic visual cues played a dominant role at the beginning of the task, and an intensive practice resulted in increased accuracy of kinesthetic information and efferent mechanisms of motor responses. These results have implications with regard to motor learning conceptions and training as a function of the task constraints.     

Open Learning: Beyond the Institutional Approach

In the concept of ‘open learning’, the word ‘open’ is certainly the keyword. But what does this idea of ‘openness’ mean today? It is not only a matter of registration or timetable, but also a real question: how should we face the challenge of the necessary permanent updating of professional skills and knowledge? The author addresses some critical issues concerning the implementation of the concept of ‘lifelong learning’ in general and professional contexts. The proposed hypothesis emerges from an attempt to go beyond the opposition of three current approaches trying to shape the future: an institutional approach, which sees the future of education in the development of open and flexible learning systems; a social approach, which sees the future of education in the reinforcement of social exchanges as ‘knowledge exchanges’ leading to the development of a ‘learning society'; and a technological approach, which sees the future of education in the provision of easy access to knowledge via multimedia systems. Merging these approaches leads to the concept of ‘learning organization’, relying on the use of facilities provided both by ‘knowledge technologies’ and ‘knowledge transactions’.     

Influence of the perception of biological or non-biological motion on movement execution

The perception of a human actor performing movements may involve processes related to action execution. This resonance of the motor system may support observational learning and imitation, and could also explain the fact that observers'/actors' movements are disturbed by the observation of a human model making different movements (Kilner et al., 2003). In this study, we tried to specify what information available in the model's behaviour triggers this influence on an observer's behaviour. In two experiments, we had participants make horizontal or vertical arm movements while observing similar movements. In the first experiment, the observers' pattern of behaviour was affected by the observation of a human model making incongruent movements. In the second experiment, similar results were obtained with participants observing a moving dot depicting either biological or non-biological motion. Movement execution was affected differentially by biological and non-biological motion observation. These results show that an observer's behaviour is sensitive to information available in biological motion.