Abstract

The present study focused on whether the movement correction capability during interceptive action can be improved by practice and investigated what practice method would enable the improvement. Two possible practice methods were conducted, i.e., practice with direct interception of an accelerating target (within-trial target velocity changes; WT practice), and practice with interception of 2 constant-velocity targets that are presented in uncertain order (inter-trial target velocity changes; IT practice). After practice, the rate of movement correction and movement kinematics of both groups were investigated at post- and transfer tests that included various novel target conditions. In the post-test, only the IT practice group showed improved rate of movement correction and movement velocity patterns with rapid acceleration for the accelerating targets despite having no direct experience with target velocity change during practice. In the transfer test, the WT practice group showed a relatively high rate of movement correction for the novel target velocity changes. These results indicate that movement correction capability during interception can be improved by practice. However, WT and IT practices lead to the development of different movement correction strategies. Verf.-Referat