Impact of the visual environment on the execution of aimed movements

The present study showed that movement execution depends on the direct visual environment. We replicated findings of an earlier study that showed a difference between real time information via a trace of the unfolding trajectory, and cursor feedback constituting real time information about the changing movement location. Detailed analyses involving subdividing a movement into four successive sections revealed that movements governed by trace feedback were typically slower and required more feedback guidance near the occurrence of peak velocity. The present study further showed that movement behavior under the two visual modes diverged even more due to the presence of a static object positioned within the action area of the movement. Movements in the trace feedback condition were affected by the presence of an object in the second half of the movement trajectory when the movement reached peak deceleration. Discussion focuses on the differences between the two modes of online visual information.