Movement Sonification: Audiovisual benefits on motor learning

^(*) Institute of Sport Science, University of Hanover, Germany
^(‡) Institute of Informatics II, University of Bonn, Germany
E-mail: alfred.effenberg@sportwiss.uni-hannover.de, ursula.fehse@sportwiss.uni-hannover.de.

Abstract

Processes of motor control and learning in sports as well as in motor rehabilitation are based on perceptual functions and emergent motor representations. Here a new method of movement sonification is described which is designed to tune in more comprehensively the auditory system into motor perception to enhance motor learning. Usually silent features of the cyclic movement pattern "indoor rowing" are sonified in real time to make them additionally available to the auditory system when executing the movement. Via real time sonification movement perception can be enhanced in terms of temporal precision and multi-channel integration. But beside the contribution of a single perceptual channel to motor perception and motor representation also mechanisms of multisensory integration can be addressed, if movement sonification is configured adequately: Multimodal motor representations consisting of at least visual, auditory and proprioceptive components - can be shaped subtly resulting in more precise motor control and enhanced motor learning.