EFFECTS OF KR-DELAY ON MOTOR SKILL LEARNING FOR FEMALE SENIORS

Knowledge of results (KR) plays an important role in the process of motor skill acquisition. Research has suggested that KR facilitates skill learning by reinforcing the skill goal and maintaining the motivation level of the learner. In addition, considerable studies have indicated that advancing age is associated with declined motor functioning and performance. However, the underlying mechanisms for motor skill learning in aging populations are uncertain. Specifically, it is unclear if the interval of KR-delay would affect the behavioral characteristics of motor skill acquisition for seniors. PURPOSE to examine the effects of KR-delay intervals (3, 6, or 12 seconds) on skill learning of a motor timing task in female seniors. METHODS Twenty-three females (70.68±3.8 yrs) were requested to perform an arm movement task by moving a handle on a linear-slide apparatus. In the acquisition phase, after each trial, the performer was given KR (timing error in ms) at 3, 6, or 12 seconds based on a counterbalanced order (12 practice trials for each KR-delay interval). In the retention phase, each learner performed 5 trials without the KR. Thus, each participant had a total of 36 practice trials and 15 retention trials for this experiment. The arm movement performance was measured in timing error (ms) relative to the standard time (1000 ms) at acquisition and retention phases. RESULTS The seniors in both age groups (older, 75.67±3.33 yrs, n = 13; younger, 64.73±3.36, n = 10) did better at the KR-delay interval of 3 and 6 seconds (error = 281 and 317 ms, respectively) than the interval of 12 seconds (error = 458 ms), F (2, 21) = 6.78, p <.01. CONCLUSION KR-delay intervals appeared to influence motor skill learning of senior females. PArticipants benefited more from shorter KR-delay intervals (3 and 6 seconds) than the longer one (12 seconds), which suggests that the deteriorated memory or attention span of seniors could be a critical factor in considering and designing motor learning programs for senior citizens.