Has motor learning taken place when improvements in skill technique are due to changes in motivation?

Motor learning refers to the process through which we acquire and refine skills through practice and experience, which generally involves changes in technique, efficiency, and performance. When improvements in skill technique occur purely as a result of changes in motivation rather than practice and the intrinsic refinement of movement patterns, it doesn't constitute true motor learning.

In essence, for motor learning to be recognized, the changes should stem from a deeper understanding of the skill, repetition, and practice, leading to alterations in muscle memory and coordination rather than just a motivational uplift. If the improvement is solely motivated by external factors and does not involve physical practice or biomechanical adjustments, it does not align with the definition of motor learning. Therefore, the assertion that motor learning has taken place under these circumstances is false.

In summary, the key aspect of motor learning is not just the outcome of motivated performance but the underlying physical and cognitive changes that support a refined technique over time.