Time of Fast Learning in Speed-Accuracy Tasks is Different for Children and Adults

Abstract

Research background and hypothesis. Motor learning is characterized by specific set of changes in
performance parameters which occur gradually over a course of learning period.
Research aim. The aim of the study was to establish and compare the characteristics of learning speed-
accuracy movements of children and adults.
Research methods. The research participants were 13 healthy boys, 16 girls, 5 healthy men and 7 women.
The research was carried out applying the analyzer of dynamic parameters of human leg and arm movement
(DPA-1). We registered maximal and average movement speed, the reaction time and the movement trajectory
of the right hand.
Research results. We established signifi cant differences (p < 0.05–0.001) in reaction time (RT), average
movement speed (Va), maximal movement speed (Vm) and movement trajectory (S) between children and
adults.
Discussion and conclusions. Motor adaptation in timescales of minutes is supported by two distinct
processes: one process when a person learns slowly from errors but has strong retention, and another process is
when a person learns rapidly from errors but has poor retention (Ethier et al., 2008). We might only speculate that
children used the second strategy more than adults. The time of fast learning in a speed-accuracy task was different
between children and adults. The accuracy was most improved by children at the expense of the quickness, while
adults improved only the average velocity of their performance. Besides, most of the variability of performance
variables changed more signifi cantly in children than in adults.

Keywords: motor learning, motor control, age, manual task.