Learning, Motor Skill, and Long-Range Correlations

Abstract

Long-range correlations have been evidenced in a number of experiments, generally using overlearned and overpracticed tasks. The authors hypothesized that long-range correlation could represent the byproduct of learning. They analyzed the series of periods produced by a group of expert and a group of novices during prolonged trials on a ski simulator. Results showed a very low variability in expert's series, as compared to novices. Fractal analyses showed that fluctuations were significantly more structured and correlated in experts. These results suggest that learning could be conceived as the progressive installation of complexity in the system.

Complex Systems in Sport, International Congress: Linking Theory and Practice

“…Introduction: A relatively new finding relevant to sports is that optimal performance and well-trained behavior is reflected in patterns of high-frequency and low-amplitude fluctuations nested within low-frequency and high-amplitude fluctuations, called pink noise (e.g., Wijnants et al, 2009;Wijnants et al, 2012). Studies with cyclists, long-distance runners, skiers, and rowers, have consistently demonstrated pink noise in the athletes' performance time series (e.g., Hoos et al, 2014;Nourrit-Lucas et al, 2015). Moreover, recent studies revealed that higher-skilled rowers (Den Hartigh et al, 2015) and skiers (Nourrit-Lucas et al, 2015) demonstrated more prominent patterns of pink noise than less-skilled athletes.…”

“…Studies with cyclists, long-distance runners, skiers, and rowers, have consistently demonstrated pink noise in the athletes' performance time series (e.g., Hoos et al, 2014;Nourrit-Lucas et al, 2015). Moreover, recent studies revealed that higher-skilled rowers (Den Hartigh et al, 2015) and skiers (Nourrit-Lucas et al, 2015) demonstrated more prominent patterns of pink noise than less-skilled athletes. In addition to pink noise in individual performance, it has recently been shown that two people who perform a task together tend to match the fractal patterns of their behavioral time series.…”

Detrended fluctuation analysis in a simple spreadsheet as a tool for teaching fractal physiology

“…In contrast, fractal properties in physiology seem to disappear with aging (21), which is reversible to some extent (14), and disease (16,39). Fractal complexity is also a marker of learning skills (31,40,41).…”

“…The presence of fractal dynamics appears to be the rule rather than the exception in physiology. The phenomenon, also referred to as long-range correlations, long-range dependence, long-term memory, or pink noise (15,31), is widespread in humans across brain activity (3), autonomic control (21,33), cognitive performance (8,39), and motor behavior (5,6,15). The term "1/f noise" is also frequent (6,8,39).…”

“…Many physiological variables are known to exhibit intrinsic fractal fluctuations, i.e., similar temporal fluctuation patterns at different time scales. These fractal patterns contain information about health (12,15,20,21,27,41), physiological control as a function of skill or learning (24,25,31), and the way subjects adapt their interaction with their environment (29,30). Implementing fractal physiology in student's curricular programs may offer great opportunities to bring forward game-changing conceptions in physiology.…”