Effectiveness of Motor Learning based on total-learning and Two Different Partial-learning Methods:Analysis of the Length of Body Sway

Abstract

[Purpose] The purpose of this study was to clarify the effect of total-learning and two different partiallearning methods by measuring body sway. [Subjects] The subjects were thirty-six healthy college students who were allocated to three groups (A, B, and C) at random. [Methods] The subjects were asked to throw a ball with the nondominant hand while sitting on a Balance Ball as a function test. Group A performed the task according to the totallearning method. In group B, the subjects first practiced maintaining balance on the Balance Ball and then threw the ball. Group C performed the task of group B in the reverse order. The length of body sway per unit time (LNG/T; cm / sec) was compared between before and after the learning session. [Results] There was a significant decrease in LNG/T shown by Group B. [Conclusion] This result indicates that postural control influences the function test. This observation suggests that prior achievement of postural control significantly improves motor learning.