The relation between movement parameters and motor learning.

Abstract

In a recent paper, Flament et al (1999) studied the learning to flex the elbow fast. They concluded from their data that time-related parameters (e.g. movement time) changed faster during learning than magnitude-related parameters (e.g. peak velocity), and discussed this finding in terms of neural substrates responsible for the apparently different learning mechanisms. In this note, I will argue that finding different time constants does not imply different learning mechanisms. I will give a theoretical example of the development of parameters during learning to move faster. Despite the fact that I model only one learning process, various kinematic parameters show different time courses of learning. The differences the model predicts are comparable with the experimental results.