Motor learning in adults

What is it about?

When we reach to an object we do this on the basis of what we intend to use it for. I would move my hand towards a glass differently if I intended to throw it rather than drink from it. This study considered whether giving targeted practice in adults emphasized this difference. It did. After practice adults showed a much bigger difference in their initial reach for different onward actions. So motor practice can influence motor planning.

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Why is it important?

This study looks at motor learning in adults using a more naturalistic task than is typically used in adult learning studies. In addition, it uses a very small number of trials. The fact that even under these conditions we saw some learning demonstrates the scope for motor learning in adult movement