Motor Learning in Elderly: Effects of Decision Making Time for Self-Regulated Knowledge of Results During a Dynamic Balance Task

Abstract Background Cerebellar transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) is widely considered as a promising non-invasive tool to foster motor performance and learning in health and disease. The results of previous studies, however, are inconsistent. Our group failed to provide evidence for an effect of cerebellar tDCS on learning of a complex whole body dynamic balance task in young and healthy participants. Ceiling effects in the young study population are one possible explanation for the negative findings. Methods In the present study, we therefore tested 40 middle-aged healthy participants between the ages of 50 to 65 years. Participants received either anodal or sham cerebellar tDCS using a double-blinded study design while performing a balance task on a Lafayette Instrument 16,030 stability platform®. Mean platform angle and mean balance time were assessed as outcome measures. Results Significant learning effects were found in all participants. Balancing performance and learning rate was significantly less in the group of middle-aged adults compared to our previous group of young adults. No significant effects of cerebellar tDCS were observed. Conclusions Our findings are in line with other studies that have failed to prove robust effects of cerebellar tDCS on motor learning. The present findings, however, do not exclude cerebellar tDCS effects. tDCS effects may be more prominent after repeated stimulation, using other stimulus parameters, in patient populations, or in other motor learning tasks. Trial registration Not applicable.

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Overweight Stereotype Threat Negatively Impacts the Learning of a Balance Task

Journal of Motor Learning and Development ◽

10.1123/jmld.2015-0015 ◽

2015 ◽

Vol 3 (2) ◽

pp. 140-150 ◽

Cited By ~ 5

Author(s):

Priscila Lopes Cardozo ◽

Suzete Chiviacowsky

Keyword(s):

Individual Differences ◽

Motor Learning ◽

Intrinsic Motivation ◽

Stereotype Threat ◽

Motor Skills ◽

Retention Test ◽

Dynamic Balance ◽

Perceived Competence ◽

Overweight People ◽

Balance Task

Several studies have demonstrated the detrimental effects of stereotype threat on the performance of academic and motor skills, while little attention has been given to the effects of stereotypical conditions on motor learning. The objective of the current study was to investigate the effects of overweight stereotype threat on women learning a balance task. Participants practiced 10 trials of a dynamic balance task and their learning was observed in a retention test one day later. Before practice, the stereotype threat (ST) group received instructions introducing the task as influenced by individual differences, whereby overweight people usually present worse outcomes. For the reduced stereotype threat group (RST), instructions informed them that the task was not influenced by individual differences. Participants also filled out a questionnaire measuring intrinsic motivation. The results showed that performance and learning, as well as perceived competence, were enhanced for participants of the RST group compared with participants of the ST group. The findings provide evidence that overweight stereotype threat affects the learning of motor skills.

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Effects of a 6-week core stabilization training program on dynamic balance and trunk stabilization endurance of horse riders

Sport Sciences for Health ◽

10.1007/s11332-020-00729-0 ◽

2021 ◽

Author(s):

Nicholas H. K. Lam ◽

Wai Man Lau ◽

Tin Lap Lau

Keyword(s):

Training Program ◽

Dynamic Balance ◽

Measurement Tool ◽

Balance Test ◽

Core Stabilization ◽

Balance Task ◽

Postural Stabilization ◽

Left And Right ◽

Back Extensor ◽

Swiss Ball

AbstractThe purpose of this study was to examine the effectiveness of a 6-week core stabilization training program (CSTP) in improving dynamic balance and back-extensor endurance of horse riders; and develop a measurement tool in assessing the dynamic postural stabilization endurance for horse riders. Twelve male horse riders (age: 23.58 ± 1.93 years; height: 165.09 ± 4.60 cm; weight: 56.53 ± 4.75 kg; experience in horse racing: 1.75 ± 0.34 years) completed 12 training sessions in 6 weeks. Subjects performed the CSTP with two progressions. CSTP started with the basic consciousness activation exercises, and then eliminated visual feedback in dynamic balance task on unstable surfaces and finished with switching the center of gravity. Moderate-to-large difference was demonstrated in the Y-Balance test scores for right leg (102.81 ± 8.32 vs 106.471 ± 4.35 cm, d = 0.55, 95% CL 0.00 to 1.08) and left leg (102.04 ± 3.20 vs 106.29 ± 3.62 cm, d = 1.25, 95% CL 0.41 to 2.05) following 6 weeks CSTP. However, trivial to small differences was reported between left and right leg in pre (d = 0.12, 95% CL − 0.49 to 0.73) and post 6-week CSTP (d = 0.04, 95% CL − 0.69 to 0.78). Biering–Sørensen test (BST) shows largely greater performance after 6-week CSTP (98.3 ± 30.1 vs 131.8 ± 19.0 s, d = 1.33, 95% CL 0.54–2.09). A novel measurement, Swiss ball four-point kneeling test was shown to be correlated with the change in BST (r = 0.633).

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Effects of Physical Guidance and Knowledge of Results on Motor Learning: Support for the Guidance Hypothesis

Research Quarterly for Exercise and Sport ◽

10.1080/02701367.1994.10607635 ◽

1994 ◽

Vol 65 (4) ◽

pp. 316-323 ◽

Cited By ~ 152

Author(s):

Carolee J. Winstein ◽

Patricia S. Pohl ◽

Rebecca Lewthwaite

Keyword(s):

Motor Learning ◽

Learning Support ◽

Knowledge Of Results

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Relationships among Perceptual-Motor Measures and their Correlations with Academic Readiness for Preschool Children

Perceptual and Motor Skills ◽

10.2466/pms.1974.39.1.467 ◽

1974 ◽

Vol 39 (1) ◽

pp. 467-473 ◽

Cited By ~ 2

Author(s):

Brad S. Chissom ◽

Jerry R. Thomas ◽

Delores G. Collins

Keyword(s):

Dynamic Balance ◽

Kindergarten Children ◽

Academic Readiness ◽

Multiple Correlation ◽

Balance Task ◽

Motor Tests ◽

Academic Measures ◽

Highly Correlated ◽

The Relationship ◽

Ball Test

Kindergarten children ( N = 39) were administered 4 perceptual-motor tests and 2 academic measures in order to assess the relationship among the perceptual-motor tests and between the perceptual-motor and academic tests. Results indicated that the Shape-0 Ball Test and Frostig test were highly correlated and were good predictors of the academic measures. The dynamic balance task (stabilometer) correlated moderately with the Shape-O Ball Test, the Frostig, and the academic criteria. The Oseretsky tests did not correlate significantly with any of the other measures. Stepwise multiple correlation indicated that combining the perceptual-motor tests slightly increased their ability to predict each of the academic criteria.

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Dynamic Leap and Balance Test: Ability to Discriminate Balance Deficits in Individuals With Chronic Ankle Instability

Journal of Sport Rehabilitation ◽

10.1123/jsr.2018-0380 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 29 (3) ◽

pp. 263-270 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Abbis H. Jaffri ◽

Thomas M. Newman ◽

Brent I. Smith ◽

Giampietro L. Vairo ◽

Craig R. Denegar ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Dynamic Stability ◽

Healthy Subjects ◽

Ankle Instability ◽

Dynamic Balance ◽

Chronic Ankle Instability ◽

Assessment Tools ◽

Balance Test ◽

Balance Task ◽

History Of ◽

Base Of Support

Context: The Dynamic Leap Balance Test (DLBT) is a new dynamic balance task that requires serial changes in base of support with alternating limb support and recovery of dynamic stability, as compared with the Y modification of the Star Excursion Balance Test (Y-SEBT), which assesses dynamic stability over an unchanging base of support. Objectives: To assess the dynamic balance performance in 2 different types of dynamic balance tasks, the DLBT and the SEBT, in subjects with unilateral chronic ankle instability (CAI) when compared with matched controls. The authors hypothesized that the DLBT score would significantly differ between the CAI involved and uninvolved limbs (contralateral and healthy matched) and demonstrate a modest (r = .50) association with the SEBT scores. Design: Case-control. Setting: Controlled laboratory. Participants: A total of 36 physically active adults, 18 with history of unilateral CAI and 18 without history of ankle injury, were enrolled in the study. CAI subjects were identified using the Identification of Functional Ankle Instability questionnaire. Interventions: The DLBT and the SEBT were performed in a randomized order on a randomly selected limb in CAI and healthy subjects. Main Outcome Measures: Time taken to complete the DLBT and the reach distances performed on the SEBT were compared between the CAI and the healthy subjects. Results: There were no statistically significant differences (P < .05) in SEBT reach distances between groups. The DLBT time was greater (P < .01) for unstable ankles compared with the stable ankle. The authors found no correlation (P > .05) between DLBT time and any of the SEBT reach distances suggesting that the DLBT provides unique information in the assessment of patients with CAI. Conclusion: The DLBT challenges the ability to maintain postural control in CAI subjects differently than the SEBT. There is a need of more dynamic balance assessment tools that are functional and clinically relevant.

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