Sleep-Related Offline Improvements in Gross Motor Task Performance Occur Under Free Recall Requirements

Abstract

Nocturnal sleep effects on memory consolidation following gross motor sequence learning were examined using a complex arm movement task. This task required participants to produce non-regular spatial patterns in the horizontal plane by successively fitting a small peg into different target-holes on an electronic pegboard. The respective reaching movements typically differed in amplitude and direction. Targets were visualized prior to each transport movement on a computer screen. With this task we tested 18 subjects (22.6 ± 1.9 years; 8 female) using a between-subjects design. Participants initially learned a 10-element arm movement sequence either in the morning or in the evening. Performance was retested under free recall requirements 15 min post training, as well as 12 and 24 h later. Thus, each group was provided with one sleep-filled and one wake retention interval. Dependent variables were error rate (number of Erroneous Sequences, ES) and average sequence execution time (correct sequences only). Performance improved during acquisition. Error rate remained stable across retention. Sequence execution time (inverse to execution speed) significantly decreased again during the sleep-filled retention intervals, but remained stable during the respective wake intervals. These results corroborate recent findings on sleep-related enhancement consolidation in ecological valid, complex gross motor tasks. At the same time, they suggest this effect to be truly memory-based and independent from repeated access to extrinsic sequence information during retests.

Selective improvements in balancing associated with offline periods of spaced training

“…In fact, these authors found that sleep was required for those motor tasks where the performance was guided by explicit external cues, while implicit procedural skills, relying on internal information, benefited from wakefulness intervals. Examples from gross motor skills studies confirm that when an explicit help is provided, the performance improves after a night of sleep but not following wakefulness intervals 23 , 31 , 33 , 40 . Conversely, an effect from time intervals during wakefulness appears when subjects perform complex motor tasks using implicit processes 32 , 34 .…”

Task Complexity Modulates Sleep-Related Offline Learning in Sequential Motor Skills

“…The same sequence had been used in a previous study (Malangré and Blischke, 2016). In this study, sleep-related offline learning had been found when the participants were retested under free recall conditions.…”

Adult Gross Motor Learning and Sleep: Is There a Mutual Benefit?

“…Performance gains after nocturnal sleep have also been demonstrated at unimanual tasks. Malangre and Blischke [ 73 ] and Malangre et al [ 74 ] employed a pegboard task on an electronic board where a sequence of gross reaching movements including the joints of the wrist, elbow, and shoulder were performed with the nondominant hand in the horizontal plane. One group practiced in the morning, the second in the evening.…”

“…One group practiced in the morning, the second in the evening. Retests were carried out 15 min after acquisition in order to control the early retention as well as after 12 and 24 hours [ 73 ]. Mean execution time along all retests was reduced after nocturnal sleep but not after the wake periods.…”

“…Performing the trainings/retests at opposite times of day (morning/evening for the wake group versus evening/morning for the sleep group) as in the study of Al-Sharman and Siengsukon [ 80 ] may account for different offline gains because of endogenous circadian influences [ 84 ]. An equitable testing can be achieved by using a study design with 24-hour delay as done in other studies [ 70 , 73 ]. In most of the GML studies, the sleeping duration was between 6 and 8 hours at night.…”