Timing and force components in bilateral transfer of learning

Bilateral transfer of perceptual and motor components in movement control w as investigated through two experiments. In Experiment 1 a simple anticipat ory timing task was practiced with either the preferred or the nonpreferred hand. After a short resting interval an additional set of trials was perfo rmed with the contralateral hand. In Experiment 2, the same experimental de sign was used to investigate bilateral transfer of fine force control in a wrist-flexion movement. Analysis of the results showed that bilateral trans fer of learning took place for both anticipatory timing and force control, with more noticeable transfer of training for the former. Asymmetry in tran sfer was found for force control, with significant transfer only in the pre ferred-to-nonpreferred direction. Transfer of anticipatory timing occurred similarly in both directions. These results indicated anticipatory timing a s a powerful component for bilateral transfer, while force control showed t o be more dependent on practice with the specific muscular system. (C) 2000 Academic Press.