Individual Solutions in Motor Learning: Combining Different Analyses

Different individuals learn different solutions to the same perceptual-motor task regardless of the fact that they may undergo the same practice conditions. In the current study, we characterized individual solutions to a perceptual-motor task. Eighteen self-declared right-handed participants were requested to intercept a moving target controlling a virtual ball using a computer mouse. Target speed varied across trials. Participants visited the lab 2 days in a row. They practiced 250 trials on Day 1 and 50 trials on Day 2. We assessed participants’ preferred speed and maximum speed on both days. We combined a qualitative description of solutions on the task space and the quantitative growth curve analysis to address individual differences. Results indicated an overall trend to increase the ball release speed to handle the task constraints. Moreover, the local shape of the solution manifold constrained individuals’ solutions. Contrary to our expectations, neither individual preferred speed nor individual maximum speed improved model fit.