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Reflecting on what is "skill" in human motor skill learning.
1Cognition and Actions Lab, Institute of Neuroscience, Université Catholique de Louvain, Brussels, Belgium.
Frontiers in Human Neuroscience
|July 24, 2023
Summary
This review clarifies the definition of motor skill learning by identifying key features like optimal movement, speed, accuracy, and reduced errors. Understanding these aspects is crucial for advancing neuroscience and clinical applications.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Motor Control
- Human Movement Science
Background:
- Human motor skill learning is a complex field with a lack of consensus on the definition of "skill."
- Heterogeneity in task paradigms and assessment methods complicates interpretation and replication of findings.
- A clear definition is vital for advancing fundamental knowledge and clinical applications in motor learning research.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review and define the fundamental characteristics of motor skill.
- To establish a consensus on the definition of "skill" in the context of motor learning.
- To guide future neuroscientific research on human motor skill acquisition.
Main Methods:
- Historical literature review of seminal and contemporary works in motor skill learning.
- Analysis of key features defining skilled movement based on established research.
- Identification of model tasks that exemplify core characteristics of skill.
Main Results:
- Skill is characterized by optimal movement selection and execution.
- Skilled performance demonstrates improved movement speed and accuracy.
- Key features include reduced movement variability and error following practice.
Conclusions:
- Skill in motor learning is defined by optimal execution, enhanced speed/accuracy, and reduced variability/error.
- These characteristics emerge from extensive practice and define an improved performance state.
- Future research on motor skill learning should focus on these defined aspects for clarity and translational impact.
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