Use of distance and location in short-term motor memory

A retroactive interference paradigm was used to determine whether kinesthetic distance, location, or distance and location cues are used at recall of a blind, simple linear movement. Students performed interpolated movements which varied distance and location cues separately or jointly. Relative to a rest condition, joint distance and location interpolation produced significant interference while no significant interference was found for interpolation of individual distance or location. The results were interpreted as supporting the involvement of multiple kinesthetic cues in the establishment of memorial representations of motor movements.