Learning and interlimb transfer of new gait patterns are facilitated by distributed practice across days

Abstract

Background: Previous studies have shown that the extent to which learning with one limb transfers to the opposite, untrained limb (i.e., interlimb transfer) is proportional to the amount of prior learning (or skill acquisition) that has occurred in the training limb. Thus, it is likely that distributed practice-a training strategy that is known to facilitate learning-will result in greater interlimb transfer than massed practice. Research Question: To evaluate the effects of massed and distributed practice on acquisition and interlimb transfer of leg motor skills during walking. Methods: Forty-five subjects learned a new gait pattern that required greater hip and knee flexion during the swing phase of gait. The new gait pattern was displayed as a foot trajectory in the sagittal plane and participants attempted to match their foot trajectory to this template. Subjects in the massed practice group (n=20) learned the task on a single day, whereas subjects in the distributed practice group (n=25) learned the task that was spaced over two consecutive days (training phase). Following completion of training, subjects in both groups practiced the task with their untrained, opposite leg to evaluate interlimb transfer (transfer phase). Results: Results indicated that the amount of skill acquisition (i.e., reductions in tracking error) on the training leg was significantly higher (P < 0.05) in the distributed practice group when compared with the massed practice group. Similarly, the amount of interlimb transfer was also significantly higher (P < 0.05) in the distributed practice group both at the beginning and end of the transfer phase.

Functional Resistance Training to Improve Knee Strength and Function After Acute Anterior Cruciate Ligament Reconstruction: A Case Study

“…39 The ensemble averaged trajectories were then scaled by 30% (130% of normal) during swing-phase to create a target template that was displayed in real-time in front of the participant for his targetmatch training. 30,[33][34][35]38 The stance phase was unaltered in the scaling of the template, as the foot was in contact with the ground (treadmill belt) in this phase and could not extend any further while in support of the body. An up-scaled version of the target template was used to ensure that the participant walked with an increased range of motion to work on achieving full knee extension and flexion, an essential element to combat quadriceps inhibition.…”

Functional Resistance Training Improves Thigh Muscle Strength after ACL Reconstruction: A Randomized Clinical Trial

“…During all training conditions, participants were provided with real-time visual kinematic feedback while they walked on an instrumented treadmill (Bertec, Columbus, OH). To provide this feedback, participants needed to complete a target calibration walking trial during each training session to create a target kinematic template, which was used during training (27)(28)(29). During this trial, participants were asked to walk for 60 s at 80% of their preferred overground walking speed (average overground walking speed was assessed during a 10-m walk) while equipped with three reflective markers on the lateral side of the ACL-reconstructed limb's hip, knee, and ankle joints.…”