Trends in selected kinematic and myoelectric variables associated with learning a novel motor task.

Abstract Cinematographic and electromyographic methods were used to coordinate the collection of kinematic and myoelectric data on 41 male subjects. The novel motor task consisted of propelling a four-wheeled carriage along a level aluminum track to a criterion velocity by a knee extension movement. Mean performance scores demonstrated that a significant amount of learning took place over 21 trials. The finding of learning over practice provided a basis by which changes in the kinematic and myoelectric variables were analyzed. Statistical analysis consisted of a One-Sample Hotelling's T2 Test and Trend Analysis using a Multiple Regression Program. Data were collected on trials 1, 2, 6, 15, and 21. Results revealed that: (1) both knee joint and ankle joint angular velocities at release followed the same trend as performance scores; (2) two myotemporal variables had no significant trends on the four muscles under investigation; and (3) two knee flexors had linear trends and two knee extensors had cubic tren...