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Learning a multi-joint throwing task: a morphometric analysis of skill development

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Abstract

Changes in movement organization were examined during the learning of a multi-joint throwing task. Six participants threw a modified frisbee into the target area over an extended practice period (total of 1,300 trials). Throwing accuracy scores were recorded while 3-D arm motion was collected. Intrinsic shape and variability of end-point path and joint coordination pattern were assessed quantitatively by using generalized procrustes analysis (GPA) to remove extrinsic variability in location, orientation and size of movement configurations. Results indicated that throwing accuracy followed the power law of practice and had an inverse relationship with the actual variability of end-point path. GPA indicated that the intrinsic pattern of end-point path stabilized early during learning while the intrinsic pattern of joint coordination remained variable throughout practice. These findings support the proposal that skill acquisition is composed of two learning processes that occur at different rates. Topology (intrinsic pattern of end-point path) is acquired early during practice, while dynamic control (represented by joint coordination) occurs at a much slower rate.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Biobehavioral Sciences, Teachers College, Columbia University, TH1056C 525 West 120th Street, New York, NY, 10027, USA

    Ya-Ching Hung, T. R. Kaminski, Julie Fineman & A. M. Gentile

  2. Department of Human Development, Teachers College, Columbia University, TH1056C 525 West 120th Street, New York, NY, 10027, USA

    Jane Monroe

  3. Department of Family, Nutrition and Exercise Sciences, Queens College, CUNY, New York, NY, 11367, USA

    Ya-Ching Hung

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  1. Ya-Ching Hung
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  2. T. R. Kaminski
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  3. Julie Fineman
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  4. Jane Monroe
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  5. A. M. Gentile
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Correspondence to Ya-Ching Hung.

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Hung, YC., Kaminski, T.R., Fineman, J. et al. Learning a multi-joint throwing task: a morphometric analysis of skill development. Exp Brain Res 191, 197–208 (2008). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00221-008-1511-9

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00221-008-1511-9

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