Heart Rate Pre-Action: Anticipatory Change Associated with Self-Pacing,
Abstract
Ten subjects paced themselves in a complex adding task. They were to press a 'ready' button when 'psychologically' ready for the next problem. Following the button press, fixed foreperiods of 0,4 or 8 seconds preceded the visually presented task (imperative stimulus). A heart rate (HR) pre-action preceded the button press, consisting of peak followed by a trough for the 0 second foreperiod, and a monophasic increase in rate for both 4 and 8 second foreperiods. Following the button press, a HR peak occurred which was stable in terms of amplitude and latency across the three experimental conditions. A HR trough followed the peak, with a latency that increased linearly with the length of the anticipated foreperiod. Self-pacing results in HR increase as the primary change preceding a 'ready' signal. If an imperative stimulus is involved, HR will decrease following the increase such that a HR trough is reached about the time that the imperative stimulus occurs. (Author)
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Jan 01, 1971
- Accession Number
- AD0724655
Entities
People
- David Hord
- Joseph Barber