Characteristics of Visual and Proprioceptive Response Times in the Learning of a Motor Skill

Abstract

After an identical pre-training period 36 subjects were randomly assigned to one of three treatment groups (visual, visual and proprioceptive, proprioceptive, i.e. blindfold) on a motor task. All subjects received three different forces of the stimulus (blade deflection) in a random but balanced fashion. Following 10 training sessions, blindfold subjects had significantly faster RTs. Total response times (RT + MT) were also faster. The three stimulus forces presented produced significant differences in both RT and MT. No differences, however, were found for total response times; a descriptive analysis revealed a step function. As the force increased RT decreased, the opposite effect being observed for MT. Central and peripheral factors were discussed in relation to this phenomenon.