Etnier, J. L., Romero, D. H., & Traustadottir, T. (2000). Acquisition and retention of motor skills as a function of age and aerobic fitness. Medicine and Science in Sports and Exercise, 32(5), Supplement abstract 725.

The purpose of this investigation was to reexamine the influence of age and fitness on motor skill learning using an improved protocol. Young (N = 20) and mature (N = 16) adults practiced a mirror star trace until a criterion performance level was achieved. Fitness was determined as VO2max.

Both VO2max and age reliably predicted the number of trials to reach criterion and retention. Older adults and unfit adults required more trials to reach criterion and retention was poorer.

Implication. The acquisition and retention of performance are positively related to fitness and negatively related to age.

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