Which description BEST represents the late phase of motor learning in an upper extremity reaching task?

• A. Ability to focus on a secondary task while reaching
• B. Experimentation with a reaching strategy
• C. Inconsistent performance
• D. Fast improvement

Answer: (A)

In the late phase of motor learning, the movement becomes automatic and efficient, demanding little conscious effort. For an upper-extremity reaching task, this means the reach is smooth, consistently accurate, and you can perform another task at the same time without letting the reach quality drop. Being able to focus on a secondary task while reaching is the best description because it demonstrates automaticity—the hallmark of the late phase.

The other descriptions reflect earlier stages: trying out different reaching strategies shows exploration and learning in the cognitive/early associative phase; inconsistent performance indicates the learner hasn’t stabilized the motor plan; and fast improvement is typical of the initial phase when performance is rapidly changing as errors are reduced.