Differences in skill level influence the effects of visual feedback on motor learning

Abstract

[Purpose] No previous studies have confirmed whether the effects of visual feedback on motor learning vary according to learner skill level for a learning task. The purpose of this study was to clarify whether differences in skill influence the effects of visual feedback on motor learning. [Participants and Methods] Sixty-four participants were assigned to one of four different feedback groups (concurrent-100%, concurrent-50%, terminal-100%, or terminal-50%). The learning task was to adjust the load amount continuously to the left lower limb in accordance with sound stimulation at intervals of 1 Hz. The four groups performed a pretest, practice sessions, and a retention test 24 hours after practice. After completing these measurements, the participants were classified as either high- or low-skilled based on the results of the pretest. [Results] Only the groups of low-skilled participants who used concurrent feedback showed lower root mean square errors in the retention test compared to in the pretest. [Conclusion] Differences in skill level for the same task influenced the effects of visual feedback on motor learning. Furthermore, concurrent visual feedback can help improve motor learning in low-skilled learners for the same task.