Behavioral Reinforcement Improves On-& Off-line Motor Learning In Children & Adults

Reinforcement learning typically benefits motor learning;however,which type of behavioral reinforcement is best for children and adults for motor memory consolidation is not well understood.Therefore,we examined the reinforcement effects(self-talk and calligraphy)on finger sequence learning on a computer keyboard.Studies have shown that these two kinds of ways had a positive effect on performance improvement.Eighty-two children(6–12 years,mean age = 9.51 ± 1.97)and 60 adults(18–22 years,mean age = 20.20 ± 1.25)participated in this three-stage experiment that included On-line learning without reinforcement;pre-test and on-line learning with reinforcement;and post-test of retention and transfer tests(Off-line learning).Children and adults were randomly assigned to one of three groups(self-talk,calligraphy,controls).Participants acquired the movement sequence(4-2-3-1-4-2-3-1-4)and then reproduced this sequence in the retention test(4-2-3-1-4-2-3-1-4)and the mirror sequence in the transfer test(1-3-2-4-1-3-2-4-1).After overnight sleep,they performed the retention test and transfer test to measure the effects of reinforcers on off-line motor learning.The results suggested that children and adults improved tapping speed in on-line motor learning without reinforcement.Compared with the control group,behavioral reinforcement through both of self-talk and calligraphy had greater effects on improving children's movement speed in on-line motor learning,especially for the 8-to 11-year-olds.In comparison with their older peers and adults,in on-line learning,the 6-to 7-year-olds gained more from the reinforcement of calligraphy and gained less from self-talk;the 12-year-olds benefitted more from self-talk in movement time and sequence accuracy.Children can benefit from the reinforcement learning,children of different age benefit from different ways of reinforcement learning.The younger children benefit from the calligraphy with visual feedback and the image is more specific.Comparing the improvement from the pre-test to the post-test,the 6-to 9-year-olds showed a greater reduction in movement time in the transfer test than the adults did.In the daytime off-line learning transfer test,the 6-to 7-year-olds showed greater movement time improvement in the transfer test than the 10-to 11-year-olds and adults.After overnight sleep,the 6-to 9-year-olds showed greater improvement from the pre-to the post-reinforcement transfer test,but not in the retention test.The effects of developmental brain maturation on off-line learning with 6 hours or 12 hours on average could contribute to these findings about memory integration and consolidation.Brain plasticity of children is higher than adult.They have more possibility to improve their performance.The implications of behavioral reinforcement on developmental on-and off-line motor learning are discussed.