Obesity impairs performing and learning a timing perception task regardless of the body position.

Obesity impairs performing and learning a timing perception task regardless of the body position. Exp Brain Res. 2021 Jan 02;: Authors: Refinetti FM, Drews R, Corrêa UC, Bastos FH Abstract Obesity has been associated with poorer sensorimotor performance. However, it remains unclear whether these obesity-related impairments can be mitigated by practice. In the present study, we sought to investigate the effects of practice on performing and learning a temporal estimation task, in women with and without obesity. The experimental task consisted of synchronizing the arrival of two rectangles at a target point. Limited to the pressing of a switch, the task was intended to minimize possible muscular fatigue, self-generated perturbations to balance and the need to accelerate/decelerate body segments. Participants were allowed to choose the displacement velocity of the rectangle they controlled and were informed that they would not be offered any choice over it during a test to come. To control for the effect of different body positions on sensorimotor performance and learning, the 19 women with obesity (BMI = 40.0 + 7.33, age = 44.2 + 6.6) and 20 without obesity (BMI = 22.3 + 1.95, age = 43 + 6.9) were assigned into 4 groups, according to their BMI and body position assumed during practice (standing upright with feet together or sitting). As no significant differences concerning body position were found, the...
Source: Experimental Brain Research - Category: Neuroscience Authors: Tags: Exp Brain Res Source Type: research