University of Twente Student Theses

Login

The Dynamics of Centre of Mass Changes During Whole Body Motor Sequence Learning

Huge, L.M. (2024) The Dynamics of Centre of Mass Changes During Whole Body Motor Sequence Learning.

[img] PDF
437kB
Abstract:Motor sequence learning (MSL) is the basis for actions we perform every day such as tying our shoe laces or typing a message. The Discrete Sequence Production (DSP) task is a common paradigm that investigates MSL via keypress tasks. This pilot of the Dance-Step Discrete Sequence Production (DS-DSP) task adapted the DSP task to investigate MSL for whole body movements. Participants (n=12) completed four training blocks each consisting of 48 sequences which were all made up of six steps. Response Time (RT) and triaxial centre of mass (COM) acceleration were recorded as behavioural and kinematic measurements to examine chunking and concatenation. Results generally showed improvements in RT and COM acceleration through all blocks. Step number and block were significant for improvements of both RT and acceleration. RT and y-acceleration both shared the lowest and highest value at the fourth step respectively, indicating chunks longer than 3-4 stimuli because the next chunk only seems to get prepared after that. All three axes of acceleration were significant in predicting RT, suggesting an inverse relationship. Y-axis acceleration provided the best fit as a predictor for RT indicating that participants optimise their left to right movement the most to be faster. Further studies should examine this for longer sequences and while accounting for step position.
Item Type:Essay (Bachelor)
Faculty:BMS: Behavioural, Management and Social Sciences
Subject:77 psychology
Programme:Psychology BSc (56604)
Link to this item:https://purl.utwente.nl/essays/100731
Export this item as:BibTeX
EndNote
HTML Citation
Reference Manager

 

Repository Staff Only: item control page