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Published on: August 10, 2014
Target-size influences on reaction time with movement time controlled
J T Quinn1, R A Schmidt, H N Zelaznik
1Department of Kinesiology, University of California, Los Angeles, CA 90024, USA.
Journal of Motor Behavior
|December 1, 1980
Summary
Motor programming time is not affected by target size or movement amplitude. However, longer movement times (MT) were associated with increased reaction times (RT), suggesting MT influences programming complexity.
Area of Science:
- Human motor control
- Cognitive psychology
- Movement science
Background:
- Motor programming theory suggests response complexity influences programming time.
- Increased complexity, indicated by smaller targets or larger amplitudes, is hypothesized to increase reaction time (RT).
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the influence of target size, movement amplitude, and movement time (MT) on motor programming time.
- To determine if these factors affect reaction time (RT) as a measure of programming complexity.
Main Methods:
- Five experiments were conducted, manipulating target size and movement amplitude.
- Movement time (MT) was experimentally varied to assess its impact on RT.
Main Results:
- Neither target size nor movement amplitude significantly affected reaction time (RT).
- Movement time (MT) did influence RT; longer MTs (200 msec) resulted in longer RTs compared to shorter MTs (120 msec).
Conclusions:
- Target size and movement amplitude do not appear to be key factors influencing motor programming time or complexity.
- Movement time (MT) may be a more significant variable in determining motor programming demands and subsequent reaction time.
