A Generalized Model of Temporal Motor Control Subject to Movement Constraints

Abstract

First- and second-ordar linear models relating mean arm movement time to Fitts'a index of difficulty (ID) variable and a lateral movement constraint variable were formulated and validated experimentally for a number of alternative types of constraints using 10 undergraduate male students as subjects. The first-order models were found to explain from 67 % to 84 % of the variation in mean movement time while the corresponding figures for the second-order models were 90% and 99·2%. The information rates generated by the tasks ranged from 0·5 to 3·0 bits s⁻¹ between the different types of lateral constraints, which were from 50% to 94% of those generated by manipulative hand movements (with fixed arm) subject to the same types of movement constraints. The substantial performance variations that occurred among individual subjects were significantly (at the 2% level) and positively influenced by task difficulty as measured by the two ID variables. The experimental movement times showed pronounced deviations from predetermined motion-time systems predictions.

This research was carried out while the author was with the School of Industrial and Systems Engineering, Georgia Institute of Technology, Atlanta, Georgia, U.S.A

Notes

This research was carried out while the author was with the School of Industrial and Systems Engineering, Georgia Institute of Technology, Atlanta, Georgia, U.S.A