Task demands shift motor learning from adaptation to feedback control in a naturalistic bimanual task

Most purposeful movements require the coordinated control of both hands, yet motor adaptation studies rely on highly constrained tasks that bear little resemblance to everyday bimanual actions. Here, we investigated how task demands shape control strategies during adaptation in a naturalistic bimanual object manipulation task. We tested 73 participants who lifted a virtual plate while we systematically distorted visual feedback of their right hand's movement, creating a sensory conflict between arms. Compared to unimanual, bimanual lifting shifted learning away from feedforward adaptation toward use of feedback control-participants moved more slowly with gradual speed scaling, developed compensatory hand adjustments, and showed smaller aftereffects. Relaxing precision demands improved success and reduced feedback reliance, while minimizing interlimb sensory conflict diminished compensatory adjustments and restored plate aftereffects to unimanual levels. Bimanual contexts create distinct learning environments where precision demands and interlimb sensory conflict independently shape control strategy; this may inform bimanual training protocols.