Date of Completion

10-21-2013

Embargo Period

10-21-2013

Keywords

motor learning, vision, motor control

Major Advisor

Michael T Turvey

Co-Major Advisor

Bruce A Kay

Associate Advisor

Claire F Michaels

Associate Advisor

Claudia Carello

Associate Advisor

Jeffrey Kinsella-Shaw

Field of Study

Psychology

Degree

Doctor of Philosophy

Open Access

Open Access

Abstract

Guidance by simple visual patterns has been reported to facilitate performance of difficult coordination patterns. This kind of guidance, however, might significantly alter coordination dynamics and learning. Experiment 1 investigated the effect of visual guidance on the organization of bimanual coordination. Anti-phase 1:1 was performed without (i) augmented information, (ii) under metronome pacing, and (iii) under visual guidance by a Lissajous plot. DFA analysis revealed that the temporal dynamics of amplitudes and relative phase values deviated from the typical 1/f variation towards more random variation under visual guidance. Complexity of amplitudes, periods and relative phases, as measured by multiscale entropy, were also lowered in visual guidance. Experiment 2 investigated whether the dynamical effects visual guidance have any role in learning. Specifically, the effects of practicing bimanual coordination at 90° of relative phase with constant visual guidance by a Lissajous plot, a fading schedule of guidance and no guidance were investigated. After practice, individuals were tested in independent execution (with no guidance) and under visual guidance. Practice conditions did not affect temporal correlation of phases, amplitudes of periods at final tests. Complexity of amplitudes and periods showed some increase in the no guidance test for the group that practiced under constant visual guidance, but not for the other groups. A specificity of practice effect on complexity was found: performance in the visually guided test was associated with a general decrease in complexity for all groups (replicating Experiment 1), except for participants that practiced with constant visual guidance.

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