A New Theory of Post-Rest Upswing or “Warm-up” in Motor Learning

Post-rest upswing in motor learning is traditionally explained in psychological terms, i.e., either as a regaining of “set” or as extinction of _SI_R. It is suggested that physiological evidence points to an alternative, namely a true “warming-up” of the muscles involved in the work under consideration. The hypothesis is shown to explain certain otherwise puzzling features of “warm-up” in pursuit rotor performance.