ERIC Number: EJ768036
Record Type: Journal
Publication Date: 2007
Pages: 5
Abstractor: Author
ISBN: N/A
ISSN: ISSN-1072-0502
EISSN: N/A
Aging Affects Motor Learning but Not Savings at Transfer of Learning
Seidler, Rachael D.
Learning & Memory, v14 n1-2 p17-21 Jan-Feb 2007
Two important components of skill learning are the learning process itself (motor acquisition) and the ability to transfer what has been learned to new task variants (motor transfer). Many studies have documented age-related declines in the ability to learn new manual motor skills. In this study, I tested whether the degree of savings at transfer of learning is similarly affected by advancing age. Young and older adults made aiming movements with a joystick to hit targets presented on a computer screen, with real-time feedback display of their movement. They adapted to three different rotations of the feedback display in a sequential fashion, with return to the normal feedback display between each. Adaptation performance was better when it was preceded by other adaptive experiences, regardless of age.
Descriptors: Transfer of Training, Feedback, Learning Disabilities, Aging (Individuals), Perceptual Motor Learning, Spatial Ability, Skill Development, Educational Games, Intergenerational Programs, Cognitive Structures, Psychological Studies
Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory Press. 500 Sunnyside Boulevard, Woodbury, NY 11797-2924. Tel: 800-843-4388; 516-367-8800; Fax: 516-422-4097; e-mail: cshpres@cshl.edu; Web site: http://www.learnmem.org/
Publication Type: Journal Articles; Reports - Research
Education Level: N/A
Audience: N/A
Language: English
Sponsor: N/A
Authoring Institution: N/A
Grant or Contract Numbers: N/A