Abstract
How strategies are formulated during a performance is an important aspect of motor control. Knowledge of the strategy employed in a task may help subjects achieve better performances, as it would help to evidence other possible strategies that could be used as well as help perfect a certain strategy. We sought to investigate how much of a performance is conditioned by the initial state and whether behavior throughout the performance is modified within a short timescale. In other words, we focus on the process of execution and not on the outcome. To this scope we used a repeated continuous circle tracing task. Performances were decomposed into different components (i.e., execution variables) whose combination is able to numerically determine movement outcome. By identifying execution variables of speed and duration, we created an execution space and a solution manifold (i.e., combinations of execution variables yielding zero discrepancy from the desired outcome) and divided the subjects according to their initial performance in that space into speed preference, duration preference, and no-preference groups. We demonstrated that specific strategies may be identified in a continuous task, and strategies remain relatively stable throughout the performance. Moreover, as performances remained stable, the initial location in the execution space can be used to determine the subject’s strategy. Finally, contrary to other studies, we demonstrated that, in a continuous task, performances were associated with reduced exploration of the execution space.
Highlights
A specific strategy but more on error based m odifications[17,18]
Given the continuous nature of the task and the short time span of execution, we hypothesize that no abrupt changes in behavior would occur
In this paper we have shown that specific execution strategies may be identified in a continuous task and that strategies remain relatively stable throughout the performance (Figs. 5, 6)
Summary
A specific strategy but more on error based m odifications[17,18]. As such, in discrete tasks, as more time is present to elaborate previous performance, subsequent performances may vary greatly. In continuous tasks on the other hand, pre-movement planning is less important, there is an ongoing regulation of c ontrol[19,20] When it comes to exploration patterns, it is possible that in a continuous task subjects would only make incremental changes, as tasks are to be performed smoothly. Abrupt changes in performance (e.g., following an unsuccessful trial) are less likely to occur, which could provide different results compared to those reported by King et al, 2012. With these considerations in mind, in the present study a circle tracing task was asked to be performed as fast and accurate as possible. To King and Colleagues, we hypothesize that subjects could be classified into distinct groups, based on their execution, with distinct characteristics
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