Perceptual and Motor Skills

Brière, Anabèle; Nadeau, Sylvie; Lauzière, Séléna; Gravel, Denis

doi: 10.2466/26.10.pms.117x12z2pmid: 24422346

Abstract The objectives were to assess whether individuals who are post-stroke can rate their perceived knee effort distribution during sit-to-stand tasks in various foot positions, to quantify their errors of perception and to compare these to their errors in weight-bearing perception. Weight-bearing distribution was assessed in hemiparetic participants (N = 19) using a force platform. Electromyographic (EMG) data normalized to maximal EMG values were used to quantify knee effort distribution. The difference between participants' real weight bearing and knee effort and the perceived values rated on a visual analog scale defined their errors of weight-bearing and effort perception. The perception of effort and weight bearing, and the errors therein, were compared among the four foot positions. Participants perceived only the changes induced by the different foot positions on their weight-bearing distribution, not on their knee effort distribution, and they made greater perception errors with the knee effort distribution than with the weight-bearing distribution.

Venkatagiri, Horabail S.; Nataraja, Nuggehalli P.; Deepthi, M.

doi: 10.2466/25.23.pms.117x16z4pmid: 24422348

Abstract When persons who stutter (PWS) read a text repeatedly, there is a progressive reduction in stutter frequency over the course of three to five readings. Recently, this phenomenon has been attributed by some researchers to motor learning—the acquisition of relatively permanent motor skills that facilitate fluency through practice in producing words. The current study tested this explanation. 23 PWS read prose passages five times in succession. The number of ‘new’ and ‘old’ stutters during repeated readings (words stuttered in the current reading but spoken fluently in the previous reading and words stuttered also in the previous reading) were analyzed. If motor learning facilitated fluency during repeated readings in PWS, words read fluently in a reading should not be stuttered in a later reading in significant numbers. Contrary to this prediction, there was no statistical difference in the number of new words stuttered across five readings. A plausible alternative explanation, which requires further study to verify, is offered.

Lu, Jen-Li; Horng, Ruey-Yun; Chao, Chin-Jung

doi: 10.2466/26.22.pms.117x10z7pmid: 24422345

Abstract In this study, a situation-augmented display for unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) monitoring was designed, and its effects on operator performance and mental workload were examined. The display design was augmented with the knowledge that there is an invariant flight trajectory (formed by the relationship between altitude and velocity) for every flight, from takeoff to landing. 56 participants were randomly assigned to the situation-augmented display or a conventional display condition to work on 4 (number of abnormalities) × 2 (noise level) UAV monitoring tasks three times. Results showed that the effects of situation-augmented display on flight completion time and time to detect abnormalities were robust under various workload conditions, but error rate and perceived mental workload were unaffected by the display type. Results suggest that the UAV monitoring task is extremely difficult, and that display devices providing high-level situation-awareness may improve operator monitoring performance.

Aitchison, Callum; Turner, Louise A.; Ansley, Les; Thompson, Kevin G.; Micklewright, Dominic; Gibson, Alan St Clair

doi: 10.2466/06.30.pms.117x11z3pmid: 24422336

Abstract This study examined the effect of low- and high-intensity running on cognitive thoughts (an individual's “inner dialogue”) and its relationship to ratings of perceived exertion (RPE). Cognitive thoughts and RPE of eight runners were collected during a 40-min. treadmill run at either a low (50% peak running speed) or a high (70% peak running speed) exercise intensity. Runners were asked to place their thoughts into one of 10 themed categories, which incorporated a broad association/dissociation classification (Schomer, 1986, 1987). At a low intensity and RPE (6–10), runners reported more dissociative thoughts, while at a high intensity and RPE (16–20) they reported more associative thoughts. Further, although the runners may report a particular RPE, the inner dialogue and description of perceived exertion and fatigue may be markedly different. These findings suggest that an athlete's “internal dialogue” is intensity dependent, and may relate to the more urgent need to self-monitor physical changes and sensations during high-intensity running.

Del Vecchio, Fabrício Boscolo; Franchini, Emerson

doi: 10.2466/30.25.pms.117x13z4pmid: 24422338

Abstract This response to Amtmann's letter emphasizes that the knowledge of the typical time structure, as well as its variation, together with the main goal of the mixed martial arts athletes—to win by knock out or submission—need to be properly considered during the training sessions. Example with other combat sports are given and discussed, especially concerning the importance of adapting the physical conditioning workouts to the technical-tactical profile of the athlete and not the opposite.

Hiraoka, Koichi; Mori, Nobuhiko; Horino, Hiroshi

doi: 10.2466/27.50.pms.117x11z0pmid: 24422350

Abstract This study investigated the immediate effect of visual attention on corticospinal excitability in the upper trapezius muscle. 10 healthy males gazed at a horizontal bar. A warning tone, indicating that a line would be slightly displaced 7,400 msec. later, was delivered in the high-attention-demand condition. A different warning tone, indicating the line would not be displaced, was delivered in the low-attention-demand condition. Participants verbally declared the direction of line displacement in the high-attention-demand condition, or stated that the warning tone meant that the line would not be displaced in the low-attention-demand condition. The amplitude of the motor-evoked potential in the upper trapezius muscle increased 7,000 msec. after the warning tone in the high-attention-demand condition. Apparently, visual attention immediately increases corticospinal excitability in the upper trapezius muscle.

de Freitas Keppeke, Lívia; de Pádua Cintra, Isa; Schoen, Teresa Helena

doi: 10.2466/10.22.25.pms.117x10z1pmid: 24422355

Abstract Visual-motor skill is fundamental to human development and is an important component of psychological evaluations. The goal of the present study was to determine whether there is a correlation between visual-motor development, as measured by the Bender Visual-Motor Gestalt Test (Bender test), and sexual maturity in adolescents, based on the Tanner Stages in Adolescents. 134 adolescents from 10 to 15 years of age participated in the study. The Bender test and the Raven's Progressive Matrices Test were employed. The measures were administered individually and information on sexual maturity and the presence of developmental disorders was collected from medical charts. The results of the Bender test were not affected by gender, age, schooling, or changes stemming from puberty, but were significantly affected by having repeated a school year and by developmental disorders. An association was found with Raven's scores. The Bender test proved sensitive to developmental disorders in adolescence. No association was found between visual-motor development and sexual maturity in adolescents.

Pereira, Tiago; Abreu, Ana Maria; Castro-Caldas, Alexandre

doi: 10.2466/23.25.pms.117x14z0pmid: 24422343

Abstract This study aimed to assess how the capacity to acquire, form and consolidate motor memories might vary across different tasks and different groups (with and without motor expertise). 20 athletes and 21 non-athletes were tested on five motor tasks: a motor sequence task, a reaction time task, two visuo-manual tasks, and a balance task. Performance was measured before training (T0), immediately after training (T1), and 24 hours after training (T2), to assess motor acquisition and motor memory formation and consolidation. T2 performance was higher in both groups, without additional training, on the motor sequence task, reaction time task and one of the visuo-manual tasks (Pouring Task). Athletes had better baseline performance at T0 than non-athletes on these tasks. Findings suggest that differential formation and consolidation processes underlie different motor tasks. Although athletes did not outperform non-athletes on motor memory consolidation, they were more efficient in acquiring novel tasks, perhaps because the required motor schemas might have been based on previously acquired ones.

Suminski, Richard R.; Wasserman, Jason A.; Mayfield, Carlene A.; McClain, Lisa

doi: 10.2466/06.pms.117x16z1pmid: 24422339

Abstract Studies have examined associations between environmental features and physical activity, but there has been no exploration of adult perceptions about the influence environmental features have on physical activity. This study assessed associations between perceptions of environmental features and physical activity. 305 women and 229 men (18–91 years of age) were interviewed in their homes. Questions elicited self-report data on physical activities they performed in their neighborhood (sidewalks near home) and perceptions about neighborhood environmental features. Women (86.4%) were more likely than men (79.3%) to be active in their neighborhoods and view the features as influential. The influences features were perceived to have on physical activity were associated with activity performed in the neighborhood, but perceptions of the conditions of features were not. Interviewers of adults about relationships between environmental features and physical activity should consider perceptions about the influence the feature exerts on activity levels.

Carbon, Claus-Christian

doi: 10.2466/24.22.pms.117x12z8pmid: 24422351

Abstract Nurmoja, Eamets, Härma, and Bachmann (2012) revealed that strongly pixelated pictures of faces still provide relevant cues for reliably assessing the apparent (i.e., subjectively perceived) traits of the portrayed. The present article responds to the paper by developing the outline of a framework for future research to reveal certain steps in processing complex visual stimuli. This framework combines the approach of degradation of the stimuli with the so-called microgenetic approach of percepts based on presentation time limitations. The proposed combination of a particular kind of stimulus manipulation and a specific experimental procedure allows testing targeted assumptions concerning visual processing, not only in the domain of face perception, but in all domains involving complex visual stimuli, for example, art perception.