Flexible prediction of opponent motion with internal representation in interception behavior

Skilled interception behavior often relies on accurate predictions of external objects because of a large delay in our sensorimotor systems. To deal with the sensorimotor delay, the brain predicts future states of the target based on the current state available, but it is still debated whether internal representations acquired from prior experience are used as well. Here we estimated the predictive manner by analyzing the response behavior of a pursuer to a sudden directional change of the evasive target, providing strong evidence that prediction of target motion by the pursuer was incompatible with a linear extrapolation based solely on the current state of the target. Moreover, using neural network models, we validated that nonlinear extrapolation as estimated was computationally feasible and useful even against unknown opponents. These results support the use of internal representations in predicting target motion, suggesting the usefulness and versatility of predicting external object motion through internal representations. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1007/s00422-021-00891-9.