Related Experiment Video
Updated: Mar 23, 2026

Acquisition of a High-precision Skilled Forelimb Reaching Task in Rats
Published on: June 22, 2015
Movement pattern components and mastery of an object control skill with error-reduced learning
Catherine M Capio1,2, Jamie M Poolton1,3, Kathlynne F Eguia4
1a Institute of Human Performance, The University of Hong Kong , Hong Kong.
Objectives:
This paper reports the effects of error-reduced learning on movement components and mastery of overhand throwing in children with and without intellectual disability.
Methods:
Secondary data analysis was performed on two samples of children (typically developing, TD; intellectual disability, ID) who practiced overhand throwing in either an error-reduced (ER) or error-strewn (ES) condition. Movement pattern components were assessed using a sub-skill of Test of Gross Motor Development-2.
Results:
In TD participants, ER learners displayed improved follow-through while ES learners did not. Among children with ID, ER learners displayed greater improvements of hip/shoulder rotation and follow-through, than ES learners. Discriminant function analysis confirmed that changes in these components differentiated learning groups. Greater percentage of ER, compared to ES, participants progressed to mastery.
Conclusions:
With suppressed errors, the follow-through component of overhand throwing is likely to emerge, particularly in children with inferior abilities, and cognitive limitations. Error-reduced learning facilitates mastery.
Related Concept Videos
Hierarchy of Motor Control
Fixed Action Patterns
Purposive Learning
Observational Learning

