Effect of self-controlled knowledge of results in motor skill learning of elderly adults

Abstract

The aim of this study was to analyze the effects of self-controlled knowledge of results (KR) in motor skill learning of elderly adults. Twenty subjects (65.45 + 5.34 years-old), inexperienced in the required task, were randomly distributed in two experimental groups: 1) Self-controlled Group, who received KR whenever requested; 2) Yoked Group, who received KR on the same trials of the Self-controlled Group. The task consisted of moving three tennis balls into six roles, positioned in a wood platform, in a previously determined sequence and target time. During the acquisition phase, the subjects performed 45 trials with a target time of 4500 ms. The immediate transfer tests, conducted ten minutes after the acquisition phase, consisted of 45 trials with a target time of 5000 ms. After forty eight hours, the same procedure was conducted for the latest transfer test. The results showed marginal differences, suggesting a higher performance of self-controlled group. It was concluded that selfcontrolled KR is helpful to promote motor learning in elderly adults.