The effect of direction of movement on information capacity of discrete motor responses for sixth grade students

Abstract

This study reports an investigation to determine the effect of direction of movement on the information capacity of discrete motor responses. Reaction times and movement times were measured for thirty right-handed sixth grade students completing discrete motor tasks in response to a visual stimulus. Times for seven different directions over three indexes of difficulty were compared. Results showed that direction had no significant effect on reaction times. Results reconfirmed the findings of previous studies that movement time is a linear function of index of difficulty. In addition, the results showed that direction does have a significant effect on the movement times of discrete motor responses. A multiple linear regression formula: Movement time = -30.32+1-.03 (Index of Difficulty) -3.27 (cosine of the angle of movement); was developed which might be used to predict movement times.