Can moving in a redundant workspace accelerate motor adaptation?

Abstract

Interindividual differences in motor adaptation are partly explained by differences in movement variability. Movement variability is higher in a redundant workspace. Can workspace redundancy increase adaptation? In a within-subject experiment, we show that moving in a workspace that permits versus constrains movement variability in a given spatial dimension modulates adaptation rate in that dimension, at least in part of the workspace where initial movement trajectories vary most, indicating planning noise. Redundant workspaces might aid rehabilitation.