Year: 2018
Type: dissertation
Abstract: High-intensity interval training (HIIT) improves implicit motor sequence learning (1,2). However, little is known about the impact of HIIT on the learning of explicit ecologically valid motor skills. We hypothesized that healthy volunteers who performed HIIT after explicit piano melody training would exhibit better retention of the learned melody, and better transfer to a new melody, than those who performed low-intensity exercise. Participants with no musical training underwent a graded maximal exercise test to determine their cardiorespiratory fitness. Later, participants practiced a piano melody before completing high- or low-intensity exercise. Participants were tested on the piano melody one hour, one day, and one week after initial practice. Performance was quantified by pitch and rhythm accuracy. Contrary to the hypothesis, HIIT did not enhance retention of the piano melody. However, HIIT did promote modest transfer to a new sequence. We conclude that HIIT may enhance explicit task-general motor sequence consolidation mechanisms.
Source: TSpace (University of Toronto)
Author: Dana Swarbrick
Language: English
Topic: Motor Control and Adaptation
Subfield: Cognitive Neuroscience
Field: Neuroscience
Domain: Life Sciences
Open Access status: green
OpenAlex ID: W2947845638