The Effect of Physical Work on a Subsequent Fine Manipulative Task

Abstract

An experiment is described where the effect of physical work upon subsequent fine manipulative work was investigated

The physical work involved (1) wrist and forearm flexion (holding a 7 kg weight) fifteen (15) × (2) cycling on a bicycle ergometer at a load of 900 kpm min⁻¹ for 5min. Subjects' performance on a modified Purdue Pegboard task was compared before and after work sessions. Results indicate fine manipulative work is disrupted immediately after work with the hands and that the effect dissipates over 30min of testing.