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In a complex sequential movement, what component of the motor program is improved with intensive practice, sequence
1Laboratoire de Physiologie du Mouvement, INSERM U483, Universitè de Paris-Sud XI, Bât 441, 91405 Orsay, France. Eric.yiou@lpm.u-psud.fr
Experimental Brain Research
|April 24, 2001
Summary
Expert fencers achieve higher maximum touche speeds than novices, not solely due to better timing. This suggests advanced motor programming in complex athletic movements involves overcoming inhibitory effects.
Area of Science:
- Sports Science
- Motor Control
- Biomechanics
Background:
- Expert athletes often exhibit superior movement speeds compared to novices.
- The role of precise motor timing in achieving higher speeds in complex athletic actions is debated.
Purpose of the Study:
- To determine if enhanced speed in expert fencing (fencers) is solely due to improved initiation timing of component movements.
- To investigate the underlying mechanisms of faster complex movements in skilled individuals.
Main Methods:
- Fencing novices and experts performed controlled lunge and touche actions with varied timing sequences.
- Movement speed was measured using accelerometers and force plates to record touche speed and center of mass velocity.
Main Results:
- No significant difference in center of mass speed or basic touche speed between groups in control conditions.
- In complex sequences, expert fencers achieved higher maximum touche speeds than novices.
- Initiation timing for lunge and touche was similar between groups in the test series.
Conclusions:
- Superior touche speed in expert fencers is not solely explained by more efficient motor program initiation timing.
- Advanced practice in complex movements may involve mitigating inhibitory effects, like the refractory period, between sequential motor programs.