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The "Motor" in Implicit Motor Sequence Learning: A Foot-stepping Serial Reaction Time Task
Published on: May 3, 2018
Response-optimised training improves learning of a complex motor task and closely related motor tasks
Nisha Maria Prabhu1, Martin Matke2, Nico Lehmann3
1Faculty of Human Sciences, Institute III, Department of Sport Science, Otto-von-Guericke University, Zschokkestraße 32, 39104, Magdeburg, Germany.
Experimental Gerontology
|August 6, 2026
Summary
Optimizing exercise difficulty for older adults enhances balance and motor skills. Tailored dynamic balance training (DBT) improved performance and transfer effects, supporting personalized interventions for healthy aging.
Area of Science:
- Gerontology
- Motor Learning
- Exercise Science
Background:
- Regular physical exercise is vital for healthy aging and longevity in older adults.
- Optimizing exercise interventions, especially for those with cognitive or physical decline, is crucial for maximizing benefits.
- Adjusting task difficulty to individual abilities prevents over- or underloading, but transfer effects to untrained tasks are unclear.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate whether optimized dynamic balance training (DBT) improves performance on the trained task and transfers to untrained motor and cognitive tasks in healthy older adults.
- To compare the effects of optimal (moderate difficulty) versus suboptimal (high or low difficulty) training on performance and transfer.
- To explore the relationship between training response and transfer gains.
Main Methods:
- A 6-week randomized, single-blinded dynamic balance training (DBT) study with 30 healthy older adults.
- Participants were assigned to optimal (moderate difficulty) or suboptimal (high/low difficulty) training groups, with tasks tailored to individual abilities.
- Transfer effects were assessed using cognitive (memory, executive) and motor (untrained DBT variations, other balance tasks) measures pre-, mid-, and post-intervention.
Main Results:
- The optimal training group showed significantly higher performance gains in three out of six sessions compared to suboptimal groups, particularly under high task demands.
- Greater improvements in near motor transfer tasks were observed in the optimal group mid- and post-intervention.
- No significant differences in cognitive task improvements were found between groups; within-group DBT learning positively correlated with transfer gains.
Conclusions:
- Optimized task difficulty in balance training enhances both task-specific performance and related motor skills in older adults.
- Personalized interventions, by optimizing task difficulty, are effective in maintaining function and independence.
- Further research is needed to understand cognitive transfer effects and long-term benefits.
