Thesis Project Form
Title (tentative): Role of variability in motor skill learning| Thesis advisor(s): Casadio Maura, Rajiv Ranganathan, Michigan State University USA | E-mail: |
| Address: Via Opera Pia 13, 16145 Genova (ITALY) | Phone: (+39) 010 33 52749 |
Description
Motivation and application domain
The goal of this project is to test the hypothesis that a there is an optimal amount of variability which facilitates learning and retention of a novel motor skill
General objectives and main activities
The general objectives and activities are :
1.To create a task on a bimanual robot that allows precise control of the variability experienced during motor learning of a novel task
2. To test human subjects learning the task – participants will be assigned to different groups where each group will learn with different amounts of variability. Kinematic and force data will be recorded throughout the training sessions.
3. We will then analyze the data to see if the amount of variability experienced during training has an effect on the learning and retention of the task.
1.To create a task on a bimanual robot that allows precise control of the variability experienced during motor learning of a novel task
2. To test human subjects learning the task – participants will be assigned to different groups where each group will learn with different amounts of variability. Kinematic and force data will be recorded throughout the training sessions.
3. We will then analyze the data to see if the amount of variability experienced during training has an effect on the learning and retention of the task.
Training Objectives (technical/analytical tools, experimental methodologies)
The things that I will learn:
1. Theoretical basis of motor learning and variability
2. Designing experiments and protocols on the KINARM Robotic manipulandum
3. Working and testing with human subjects
4. Data analysis and statistical testing
1. Theoretical basis of motor learning and variability
2. Designing experiments and protocols on the KINARM Robotic manipulandum
3. Working and testing with human subjects
4. Data analysis and statistical testing
Place(s) where the thesis work will be carried out: Michigan State University, Department of Kinesiology
Additional information
Maximum number of students: 1
Financial support/scholarship: bando giovani