An Older Adult Study of Concurrent Visual Feedback in Learning Continuous Balance.
- Resource Type
- Article
- Authors
- Goodwin, Jeff E., ; Goggin, Noreen L.
- Source
- Perceptual & Motor Skills; Dec2018, Vol. 125 Issue 6, p1160-1172, 13p
- Subject
- Ability
Physiological control systems
Learning
Memory
Motor ability
Training
Postural balance
Reinforcement (Psychology)
Research evaluation
Statistical sampling
Task performance
Old age
- Language
- ISSN
- 00315125
This investigation manipulated concurrent visual feedback for older adults learning to perform a continuous balance task. We randomly assigned 21 older adults to one of three knowledge of results (KR) groups with varying concurrent but always 100% terminal feedback percentages during acquisition: 100% Concurrent and Terminal (100% C&T), 50% Concurrent and 100% Terminal (50% C & 100% T), and 0% Concurrent and 100% Terminal (0% C & 100% T). The continuous balance task involved learning to maintain balance on a circular platform that moved simultaneously on both anterior/posterior and medial/lateral axes. We tested participants before acquisition phase learning and two days afterwards (retention test). At retention testing, participants in the 50% C & 100% T and those in the 0% C & 100% T conditions demonstrated significantly greater accuracy and stability than did participants in the 100% C&T condition. These findings extend previous research with young adults in supporting the guidance theory that too frequent a provision of concurrent knowledge of results negatively affects learning. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]