Age-Related Differences in the One Target Advantage: Exploring the Impact of Augmented Sensory Feedback

The one-target advantage (OTA) refers to faster execution of single-target movements compared to the same movement embedded in a two-target reaching sequence. While well documented in younger adults, little is known about OTA in older adults with age-related motor changes. This study examined whether augmented sensory feedback modulates goal-directed aiming during the OTA paradigm. Thirty right-handed participants (15 younger, 15 older adults) performed one- and two-target aiming tasks under vibrotactile (VT), auditory (A), and no-feedback (NF) conditions. Results showed that reaction time was shorter in the two-target task than in the one-target task under VT feedback (p = .002). Older adults demonstrated significantly shorter movement times with VT than with NF. Older adults showed greater undershooting in the two-target task under NF, which was reduced with VT feedback (p = .011). Additionally, older adults typically spent longer in the time after peak velocity, but VT feedback significantly reduced this duration. Overall, VT feedback improved both temporal and spatial measures, particularly for older adults. Auditory feedback showed limited effects, influencing only TAPV1 (p = .036). Together, these results highlight the potential of VT feedback to mitigate age-related motor performance declines.