Implicit learning of a sequence of body movements

Abstract

Typically, implicit sequence learning is tested with a visuo-motor serial reaction time task. Recently, implicit learning was also demonstrated for sequences of tasks, at least when they were correlated with an additional stream of information. Here, we investigated whether sequences of body movements can also be learned. Participants were blindfolded and seated on a hydraulic motion table. They were instructed to classify left vs. right, up vs. down, and forward vs. backward motions with left vs. right hand key presses. Thus, it was possible to include a sequence of x -, y-, and z-axes movements, a sequence of left vs. right hand key presses and both. Our results indicate that sequence learning occurred specifically when both streams were correlated. Thus, even 3D motion information can be integrated into a comprehensive sequence representation.