Movement tempo and the experience of time

To test the relationship between preferred rate of movement and time estimation; to attempt to control for conscious compensation in relation to time estimation; and to determine whether a trend emerges relating slowed rates of walking to time estimation; and to determine whether a trend emerges relating slowed rates of walking to time estimation by incorporating an additional slower rate, 90 healthy volunteer subjects between 18 and 45 years of age, drawn from the student population of a large, metropolitan university, were tested while walking on a finely calibrated treadmill. Three rates of walking were utilized: the individual's preferred rate and two rates slower than his preferred rate--one 30% slower, another 50% slower. While the subjects walked at the imposed rates, they were added to estimate a 40-second interval by two methods: one designed to control for conscious compensation and one to allow for compensation. They estimated the interval by activating a buzzer at the beginning of the interval and again when they felt 40 seconds had elapsed. Auxiliary data related to body temperature, pulse, and time competence (a scale of Shostrom's Personal Orientation Inventory) were also collected. The entire procedure required approximately one hour. Relationships were analyzed by simple correlation and two-way analysis of variance for repeated measurements. The relationship between preferred rate of walking and time estimation was not supported. Controlled conscious compensation did not make a difference in time estimation, as indicated by F ratio. The difference in time estimation in relation to rate of walking was statistically significant (p less than .001), and the trend was in the direction hypothesized. The time ratio score of the POI did not correlate with time estimates, and there was a low negative correlation between age and time.