Mapping design of movement sonification to enhance motor skill acquisition

Yet very few studies in sonification research tested these essential aspects of sonification design – what variables to sonify and what sounds to use in sonification.<br><br>In a series of 4 motor learning studies, we attempted to address these design questions. The first study directly compared two types of sounds to try to start answering the question of what sounds to use in sonification. Two subsequent studies attempted to develop a framework for identifying candidate movement variables as input for sonification.

Our last study utilised an already developed model-based approach and its use in other research to identify the crucial information and tested sonification of this information.<br><br>Despite no significant benefits of sonification as augmented feedback in these studies, we discuss the indications that sonification and sounds that are used might require a particular type of information to be effective – timing-related information that the auditory system is particularly suited to perceive.

Moreover, it might be possible that sonification encourages exploration of the tasks and might lead to more robust improvements in performance when the feedback is withdrawn or when transferring the skill to other tasks. Overall, our results highlight the importance of careful consideration for both the type of information that is sonified and the type of sounds that deliver the information. Finally, we noted that we observed large differences between individuals and the need to take these differences into account through an advanced methodology and possibly sonification design.

Taken together, an improved design of sonification could lead to even further and more effective application of sonification in sports or rehabilitation.<br><br><br>