Learning And Neuroplasicity

Question 1

Motor learning

Answer 1

Effects of training/ practice on motor performance
Process where movements are executed more quickly and accurately with practice
Results in formation of a motor memory
Me skipping

Question 2

Learning

Answer 2

Relatively permanent change in behaviour so there's long term retention
Performance v learning (form is temporary, class is permanent)

Question 3

Stages of motor skill acquisition

Answer 3

Fitts (1964)
Novice (verbal-cognitive) → associative → expert (autonomous)
True expert takes time and deliberate practice (10000 hours) - like modern family

Practice doesn’t necessarily make perfect

Question 4

Verbal-cognitive stage

Answer 4

Attention demanding (high cognitive load)
Trying to understand requirements
Develop strategies
High variability
Instructional quality is important

Question 5

Associative

Answer 5

Settle on main strategy

• increased consistency
• fine tuning
• importance of practice
• deal with increasing complexity

Question 6

Autonomous

Answer 6

Automatic

• Less attention needed
• improved precision and accuracy
• Less dependent on feedback
• ‘multitasking’
• difficult to make changes

Question 7

Consolidation

Answer 7

A motor memory is formed when learning is retained through consolidation

Motor skills are transformed from an novice (visual-cognitive stage), in which they are especially prone to being disrupted or lost, to a more solid or permanent state.

Question 8

When can improvements occur

Answer 8

During practice (online)
Between sessions (offline)

Question 9

Fast and slow motor learning

Answer 9

Dayan and cohen (2011)
Duration of learning is highly task specific - learning 1 phase compared to an entire book

Rapid initial gains - fast learning
Followed by incremental gains - slow learning
Slow learning takes place over multiple practice sessions

Question 10

Brain activity during fast/slow learning

Answer 10

Slow learning - everything increased activation except cerebellum decreased

Fast learning - even inc/dec except cerebellum only increased activation

Question 11

Motor maps

Answer 11

Motor maps obtained with TMS are rapidly modulated with learning
Trained areas have higher probability and size of area on brain