The role of nocturnal sleep on the retention, adaptability, and relearning rate of a motor skill

Abstract Aim: The influence of sleep on the adaptability and relearning rate during learning of complex motor skills is still unknown, limiting the comprehension of the sleep role in motor memory consolidation. Thus, we aimed to investigate the nocturnal sleep influence on retention, adaptability, and relearning rate of the dart-throwing task. Methods: Sixty healthy adults were divided into two groups: SLEEP and WAKE. Both groups practiced an under-arm dart-throwing task. However, WAKE practiced in the morning and performed a retention phase in the evening, and SLEEP practiced in the evening and performed a retention phase in the morning of the next day. The practice and retention phases were separated by 12 h in both groups. There were analyses regarding retention (retention test), adaptability (delayed transfer test), and relearning rate (savings). Results: Both groups improved their performance across the acquisition phase and maintained it in the retention test. The groups did not demonstrate adaptability and did not demonstrate a significant difference in relearning rate. Conclusion: We conclude that nocturnal sleep did not modulate the consolidation of motor memories related to ballistic discrete motor skills.

Influence of mental practice and movement observation on motor memory, cognitive function and motor performance in the elderly / Influência da prática mental e observação do movimento sobre a memória motora, função cognitiva e desempenho motor em idosos

BACKGROUND: With aging, it is important to maintain cognitive and motor functions to ensure autonomy and quality of life. During the acquisition of motor skills, it is necessary for the elderly to understand the purpose of the proposed activities. Physical and mental practice, as well as demonstrations, are strategies used to learn movements. OBJECTIVES: To investigate the influence of mental practice and the observation of movement on motor memory and to understand the relationship between cognitive function and motor performance in the execution of a sequence of digital movements in the elderly. METHOD: This was a cross-sectional study conducted with 45 young and 45 aged subjects. The instruments used were Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE), Manual Preference Inventory and a Digital Motor Task (composed of a training of a sequence of movements, an interval and a test phase). The subjects were divided into three subgroups: control, mental practice and observation of movement. RESULTS: The elderly depend more strongly on mental practice for the acquisition of a motor memory. In comparing the performances of people in different age groups, we found that in the elderly, there was a negative correlation between the MMSE score and the execution time as well as the number of errors in the motor task. CONCLUSIONS: For the elderly, mental practice can advantage motor performance. Also, there is a significant relationship between cognitive function, learning and the execution of new motor skills. .

CONTEXTUALIZAÇÃO: Com o envelhecimento, é importante a manutenção da função motora e cognitiva para garantir autonomia e qualidade de vida. Durante a aquisição de habilidades motoras é necessário que o idoso seja capaz de compreender o objetivo das atividades propostas e, para isso, a prática física e mental, assim como a demonstração, são estratégias usadas para o indivíduo aprender os movimentos. OBJETIVOS: Verificar a influência da prática mental e da observação do movimento sobre a memória motora e a relação entre a função cognitiva e o desempenho motor na execução de uma sequência de movimentos digitais em idosos. MÉTODO: Estudo transversal, realizado com 45 jovens e 45 idosos. Foram utilizados: Miniexame do Estado Mental (MEEM); Inventário de Preferência Manual de Edinburgh e Tarefa Motora Digital (composta por fase de treino, intervalo e teste). Os sujeitos foram divididos em três subgrupos: controle, prática mental e observação do movimento. RESULTADOS: Observou-se que idosos parecem depender mais da prática mental para a aquisição de uma memória motora e, na comparação do desempenho entre as faixas etárias, houve diferença no tempo de execução; nos idosos, observou-se correlação negativa entre o escore do MEEM e o tempo de execução e o número de erros na tarefa motora. CONCLUSÕES: Para idosos, a prática mental parece favorecer o desempenho motor, assim como existe uma relação significativa entre a função cognitiva e o aprendizado e execução de novas habilidades motoras. .