Visual Limit-Push Training Alters Movement Variability

Abstract

In both movement training and neurorehabilitation, there have been numerous examples of how average performance can be manipulated through practice using enhanced visual feedback. OBJECTIVE: Rather than just influencing the mean, our objective was to use a novel feedback technique called limit-push to influence the trial-to-trial variability of motion by distorting vision. METHOD: Limit-push was previously done using robotic forces; the present study employed only visual distortions that imitated the limit-push approach. RESULTS: Like the robotic force treatment, our results showed how subjects significantly shifted the distributions of their motions. This effect was even greater than that of the original limit-push experiment that used robotic forces. SIGNIFICANCE: Such visual distortion interventions do not require a robot for enhanced training. CONCLUSION: The visual limit-push technique appears to be able to selectively alter both the central tendency and variability in performance training applications.