Factors Influencing the Acquisition of a Timed Sequential Movement

Abstract

Two experiments are reported that assess the effect two types of training (phase and duration) have on the acquisition and transfer of timed sequential movements. The first experiment showed that phase-training (practicing segment movement time goals) facilitated phase transfer over duration-training (practicing overall movement time goals). When the kinematics of the phase transfer test were altered in the second experiment, no transfer differences were found between phase and duration-trained groups. These findings are discussed in reference to contextual interference effects and the learning of essential variables. Also, the importance of kinematics and segment relationships to essential variables are evaluated.