Abstract
Pairing high-intensity interval training (HIIT) with motor skill acquisition may improve learning of some implicit motor sequences (albeit with some variability), but it is unclear if HIIT enhances explicit learning of motor sequences. We asked whether a single bout of HIIT after non-musicians learned to play a piano melody promoted better retention of the melody than low-intensity interval training (LIIT). Further, we investigated whether HIIT facilitated transfer of learning to a new melody. We generated individualized exercise protocols by having participants (n = 25) with little musical training undergo a graded maximal exercise test (GXT) to determine their cardiorespiratory fitness (VO2peak) and maximum power output (Wmax). In a subsequent session, participants practiced a piano melody (skill acquisition) and were randomly assigned to a single bout of HIIT or LIIT. Retention of the piano melody was tested 1 hour, 1 day, and 1 week after skill acquisition. We also evaluated transfer to learning a new melody 1 week after acquisition. Pitch and rhythm accuracy were analyzed with linear mixed-effects modeling. HIIT did not enhance sequence-specific retention of pitch or rhythmic elements of the piano melody, but there was modest evidence that HIIT facilitated transfer to learning a new melody. We tentatively conclude that HIIT enhances explicit, task-general motor consolidation.
Highlights
Excellence in music performance may require thousands of hours of practice (Ericsson et al, 1993; Freeman, 2000)
All authors contributed to the article and approved the submitted version
Summary
Excellence in music performance may require thousands of hours of practice (Ericsson et al, 1993; Freeman, 2000). Any means of improving the efficiency of such learning and other kinds of motor learning would be of enormous benefit. Recent research has demonstrated that some types of motor learning can be facilitated when paired with a single bout of high-intensity cardiovascular exercise (Roig et al, 2012; Mang et al, 2014, 2016b; Thomas et al, 2016a,b). The aim of the present study was to determine whether high-intensity cardiovascular exercise could enhance learning a piano melody. Cardiovascular exercise is beneficial for procedural (skillbased) long-term memory (Roig et al, 2013). The timing and intensity of the exercise is important, with the greatest benefits provided by higher intensities occurring in close temporal proximity, before and after motor learning (Thomas et al., 2016a,b).
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