Cognitive Science Program. Force Control and Its Relation to Timing.
Abstract
Previous work suggested two general factors of coordination that differentiate people across a variety of motor movements, factors of timing and speed. This study provides comparable evidence for a third general factor of coordination, that of force control. Subjects that exhibit low variability in reproducing a target force with one effector, such as the finger, show low variability with other effectors, foot or forearm. In addition, ability in force control cuts across different force ranges and across situations where force is either the primary goal or of secondary importance. Force records obtained during a periodic tapping task show that, although force control is largely independent of timing, there are some interactions between the two factors. Force variation appears to slightly distort timing in part because large forces speed up implementation of movement, thereby shortening preceding intervals and lengthening following ones, and in part because force variation alters central timing mechanisms.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- May 01, 1986
- Accession Number
- ADA171874
Entities
People
- Richard I. Ivry
- Robert A. Pokorny
- Steven W. Keele
Organizations
- University of Oregon