Motor learning based on biological motion demonstrations

The aim of this study was to evaluate the motor learning process of a complex Artistic Gymnastics skill following demonstrations of point-light and video models. Sixteen participants divided into the respective model groups performed a pre-test and 100 trials of a handstand, equally distributed in blocks of 10 trials in two days, alternating periods of demonstration and practice, with retention test a day later. Participants' kinematics of arm, trunk, and leg was used to analyze the coordination similarities between each participant and the model and movement time; participants' performance was also evaluated by two Artistic Gymnastics experts. Both analyses revealed that the groups did not differ. Results are discussed in terms of the hypothesis of information sufficiency in biological motion models particularly applied to the learning process of complex motor skills.