The Relationship of Impulse to Response Timing Error

Abstract

This paper examines the relationship between response impulse and timing error in 200 msec discrete timing responses over a range of movement velocities and system masses. The results from two experiments showed that variable timing error decreased as both movement velocity and the mass of the system to be moved increased. The variability of force proportional to force (measured either as impulse or peak force) decreased curvilinearly as force output increased. The correlations between each of these parameters and variable timing errors, calculated on a group mean basis, ranged between .91 and .95. The ability to predict the movement time outcome of each individual trial from impulse-related parameters was considerably reduced, although the relationship between the various kinematic and kinetic parameters did strengthen as the movement velocity approached maximum. Collectively, the findings show that size of impulse is related to movement timing error, although it is premature to argue that impulse variability is a causal agent of timing error.