Relationship between Self-Reported Use of Oral Contraceptives and Perceptual-Motor Performance
Abstract
Performance of 9 users and 6 non-users of oral contraceptives on a perceptual-motor task (Atari Jet Pursuit video game) was examined. Although all Ss improved with practice, non-users exhibited continued significantly superior performance over 40 practice trials and 36 test trails spanning 12 days. Based on research suggesting relationships between cognitive performance and the menstrual cycle and between thermoregulation and the menstrual cycle we hypothesized that the cycle might be a significant moderator variable in a study of the effects of heat and chemical protective clothing on the ability of female soldiers to sustain performance of a number of cognitive tasks. Unfortunately, the distribution of menstrual cycles obtained was too skewed to be useful and the hypothesis could not be tested. However, information was available on the participants' use of oral contraceptives (The Pill), and a retrospective analysis was done on the relationship between The Pill and performance of the cognitive tasks and of a perceptual-motor task also included in the study. Keywords: Oral contraceptives, Perceptual-motor performance.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Jan 01, 1988
- Accession Number
- ADA197616
Entities
People
- Bernard J. Fine
Organizations
- United States Army Research Institute of Environmental Medicine