Visual Limit-Push Training Alters Movement Variability

In both movement training and neurorehabilitation, there have been numerous examples of how average performance can be manipulated through practice using enhanced visual feedback. Objective: Rather than just influencing the mean, our objective was to use a novel feedback technique called limit-push to influence the trial-to-trial variability of motion by distorting vision. Method : Limit-push was previously done using robotic forces; the present study employed only visual distortions that imitated the limit-push approach. Results: Like the robotic force treatment, our results showed how subjects significantly shifted the distributions of their motions. This effect was even greater than that of the original limit-push experiment that used robotic forces. Significance: Such visual distortion interventions do not require a robot for enhanced training. Conclusion: The visual limit-push technique appears to be able to selectively alter both the central tendency and variability in performance training applications.