Short-term evidence of partner-induced performance biases in simultaneous and alternating dyad practice in golf

Actions in social settings are often adapted based on co-actors. This adaptation can occur because one actor “co-represents” the actions and plans of another. Co-representation can result in motor contagion errors, whereby another’s actions unintentionally interfere with (negatively impact) the actor. In sports, practice often takes place simultaneously or alternating with a partner. Co-representation of another’s task could either harm or benefit skill retention and transfer, with benefits due to variable experiences and effortful processes in practice. Here, dyad groups that either alternated or simultaneously practiced golf putting to different (near vs. far) targets were compared to alone groups (n = 30/group). We focused on errors in distance from the target and expected overshooting for near-target partners paired with far-target partners (and undershooting for far-target partners paired with near-target partners), when compared to alone groups. There was evidence of co-representation for near-target partners paired with far-target partners. We also saw trial-to-trial error-based adjustments based on a partner’s outcome in alternating dyads. Despite differences in practice between dyad and alone groups, these did not lead to costs or benefits at retention or transfer. We conclude that the social-context of motor learning impacts behaviours of co-actors, but not to the detriment of overall learning.