Perceptual sensitivity supports online control, while perceptual errors drive motor memory formation during locomotor adaptation

Perceptual sensitivity predicts initial motor corrections, while perceptual prediction errors predict the magnitude of motor aftereffects during post-adaptation in split-belt treadmill locomotor adaptation.

• Why it matters: Error-based learning is well supported in reduced single-effector tasks, but it is unclear whether prediction-error principles govern whole-body, multi-sensory walking.
• What they did: The study used a split-belt treadmill and a new measure of perceived leg motion to quantify how perceptual sensitivity and perceptual prediction errors relate to motor changes across adaptation and aftereffects.
• The result: Perceptual sensitivity is linked to early adaptation corrections, whereas perceptual prediction errors are associated with post-adaptation aftereffect magnitude, supporting error-based learning as a core principle for human locomotion.

AI summary of the abstract · may contain errors · not medical advice · read the paper.