Movement control characteristics of aiming responses∗

∗Requests for reprints should be addressed to Les G. Carlton, Department of Health, Physical Education and Recreation, University of Houston, Houston, Texas 77004, U.S.A.

Abstract

Two experiments were conducted investigating the movement patterns produced in the completion of aiming responses. Movement displacement, velocity and acceleration patterns were examined in the first experiment in an attempt to determine the control processes used in discrete, peg transfer and reciprocal tapping tasks. The kinematic parameters indicated that each of these tasks were characterized by discrete error corrections occurring near the target. Experiment 2 demonstrated that under high index of difficulty conditions responses are characterized by multiple discrete corrections designed to eliminate the discrepancy between the position of the hand and the target. These findings are discussed in relation to a discrete feedback interpretation of Fitts' law.

Notes

∗Requests for reprints should be addressed to Les G. Carlton, Department of Health, Physical Education and Recreation, University of Houston, Houston, Texas 77004, U.S.A.