  The application of thermodynamic reasoning in the study of learning systems
has a long tradition. Recently, new tools relating perfect thermodynamic
adaptation to the adaptation process have been developed. These results, known
as fluctuation theorems, have been tested experimentally in several physical
scenarios and, moreover, they have been shown to be valid under broad
mathematical conditions. Hence, although not experimentally challenged yet,
they are presumed to apply to learning systems as well. Here we address this
challenge by testing the applicability of fluctuation theorems in learning
systems, more specifically, in human sensorimotor learning. In particular, we
relate adaptive movement trajectories in a changing visuomotor rotation task to
fully adapted steady-state behavior of individual participants. We find that
human adaptive behavior in our task is generally consistent with fluctuation
theorem predictions and discuss the merits and limitations of the approach.
