Learning and interlimb transfer of new gait patterns are facilitated by distributed practice across days

Previous studies have shown that the extent to which learning with one limb transfers to the opposite, untrained limb (i.e., interlimb transfer) is proportional to the amount of prior learning (or skill acquisition) that has occurred in the training limb. Thus, it is likely that distributed practice-a training strategy that is known to facilitate learning-will result in greater interlimb transfer than massed practice.

To evaluate the effects of massed and distributed practice on acquisition and interlimb transfer of leg motor skills during walking.

Forty-five subjects learned a new gait pattern that required greater hip and knee flexion during the swing phase of gait. The new gait pattern was displayed as a foot trajectory in the sagittal plane and participants attempted to match their foot trajectory to this template. Subjects in the massed practice group (n = 20) learned the task on a single day, whereas subjects in the distributed practice group (n = 25) learned the task that was spaced over two consecutive days (training phase). Following completion of training, subjects in both groups practiced the task with their untrained, opposite leg to evaluate interlimb transfer (transfer phase).

Results indicated that the amount of skill acquisition (i.e., reductions in tracking error) on the training leg was significantly higher (P < 0.05) in the distributed practice group when compared with the massed practice group. Similarly, the amount of interlimb transfer was also significantly higher (P < 0.05) in the distributed practice group both at the beginning and end of the transfer phase.

The findings indicate that acquisition and interlimb transfer of leg motor skills are significantly greater when the task was learned using distributed practice, which may have implications for gait rehabilitation in individuals with unilateral deficits, such as stroke.