Age simulation effects on full-body motor sequence learning

Gross-motor sequence learning is fundamental for performing daily activities and maintaining independence across the lifespan. This study investigated how age and age simulation affect gross-motor sequence learning, focusing on acquisition, execution performance, explicit recall, and retention performance. We tested 74 participants belonging to five groups: young adults aged 18-27 years without (n = 14) or with (n = 15) an age simulation suit, middle-aged adults aged 30-59 years without (n = 15) or with (n = 15) the suit, and older adults aged 60-86 years without the suit (n = 15). Participants in the suit condition wore the GERonTologic Simulator age suit (Moll, 2021), which simulates age-related physical impairments by reducing sensory perception, flexibility, and strength. Participants performed a fixed 10-element gross-motor sequence task requiring full-body movements over 28 practice trials. Explicit sequence recall was assessed after acquisition, and a retention test was conducted on the following day. All groups demonstrated implicit sequence learning and maintained their performance levels from the end of acquisition to the retention test. However, young adults without the suit exhibited the fastest execution times and highest explicit recall scores. Notably, the suit significantly impaired execution performance and explicit recall in both younger and middle-aged adults, indicating that peripheral impairments can hinder explicit memory formation even when implicit learning remains intact. These findings highlight the significant impact of peripheral sensorimotor declines on gross-motor sequence learning and memory formation across the adult lifespan. The results underscore the importance of considering both cognitive and sensorimotor factors in motor learning research. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2025 APA, all rights reserved).