Changes in standing postural control during acquisition of a sequential reaching task

Anne K. Galgon, Patricia A. Shewokis, Carole A. Tucker

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

Abstract

Postural control acquired during learning functional reaching movements has not been well examined. Fourteen healthy adults practiced a serial reaching task 300 times. Task acquisition was examined considering two types of action-goals [1]: hand accuracy and consistency as the focal action-goals and control of equilibrium as the postural action-goal [2,3]. Hand accuracy and consistency were measured as absolute constant error and variable error. Postural control was measured by time to boundary (TtB). Improvements were expected in the focal goals and postural goal; however the timing of improvements might reflect explicit and implicit learning processes. Practice effects resulted in improvements for hand task accuracy, consistency and an increase in TtB values. Changes in postural control may reflect improved efficiency or improved perception-action coupling by the postural system within task performance.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)265-271
Number of pages7
JournalGait and Posture
Volume31
Issue number2
DOIs
StatePublished - Feb 2010
Externally publishedYes

Keywords

  • Motor learning
  • Movement strategies
  • Postural control
  • Reaching
  • Time to boundary

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Biophysics
  • Orthopedics and Sports Medicine
  • Rehabilitation

Fingerprint

Dive into the research topics of 'Changes in standing postural control during acquisition of a sequential reaching task'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.

Cite this