Perceptual and Motor Shills, 1975, 40, 439-442. @ Perceptual and Motor Skills 1975
PREFERRED TEMPO IN PERFORMANCE OF REPETITIVE MOVEMENTS1 FRANK L. SMOLL University of Warhington Summary.-Within- and between3 variability in performance of repetitive movements at a self-paced tempo was studied. Male and female Ss ( N s = 7 5 ) performed 36 consecutive arm swings at an individually chosen tempo. Differences between Ss' selected tempos of performance were considerably greater than the amount of variation i n Ss' motor response times, indicating that lnd~viduals have preferred tempos of voluntary movement which differ from those of other individuals. No sex differences were evidenced in either preferred tempo or consistency of performance.
Most studies of motor learning and performance are concerned with optimum capacity and utilize procedures in which Ss are exhorted to "do their best" or exert "maximum effort." However, performance elicited from Ss without specific instructions to perform maximally has shown the influence of subtle components of motor behavior concerning how an individual chooses to move. These intrinsic qualities influencing motoric functioning are relatively independent of task requisites and seem to be the outcome of instructions a performer gives himself prior to and during performance of a motor task. Personal rhythm is among this category of variables denoting individual preferences, personal equations, or individual biases in movement (Cratcy, 1973, pp. 181191). Findings of several investigations have szlggerted marked inua-individual consistency and marked inter-individual differences in preferred tempo of performance for tasks involving arm and leg swinging, foot circling, and body bending (Rimoldi, 1951; Sloan, 1958) as well as for typewriting (Harding, 1932), and finger, hand, and foot tapping (Frischeisen-Kohler, 1933; Tisserand & Guilhot, 1949; W u , 1934). In addition to being handicapped by limited statistical analyses, these studies share a procedural shortcoming. Specifically, their measurement techniques involved determination of the number of responses performed in a specified time interval, a procedure that precluded assessment of the performance times of individual responses and subsequent utilization of such values in the data analyses. The present study investigated the nature of within- and between-S variability in performance of repetitive movements at a self-paced tempo. METHOD Ss were 75 male and 75 female Caucasian graduate and undergraduate volunteers. Both sexes ranged in age from 18 t o 30 yr.; the mean age was 23.9 yr. for the males
'This investigation was partially supported by Biomedical Sciences Support Grant RR07096, NIH. Appreciation is extended to Robert W . Schutz for his suggc-srions regarding the data analysis.
440
F. L. SMOLL
and 23.0 yr. for the females. Ss were naive to the purpose of the investigation and had no previous experience with the task. The apparatus (Fig. 1) was a modified version of that described in greater detail by Smoll (1973). The equipment included a target and electromechanical components that transmitted d.c. fluctuations representing anterior-posterior movements of the arm to a recording instrument. A telescoping support stand was affixed to a steel base, which was bolted to a plywood platform for stability. A steel shaft was mounted i n two bearings located at either end of a shaft mounting (8-in. length of pipe), which was affixed at right angles to the upper end of the support stand. A potentiometer was secured coaxially to the shaft and wired to a single-channel recorder (Gilson Medical Electronics Model 1CT-5H). A telescoping lever arm made of two aluminum tubes was attached to the end of the shaft. Oscillating motion of the lever arm was conveyed to the potentiometer which varied an excitation voltage in proportion to the degree of displacement of the lever arm; this oscillating voltage was recorded o n a paper readout. A freely rotating handle was located 3 in. from the distal end of the lever arm and extended at right angles to the lever arm and parallel to the shaft. A n L-shaped brass sighting rod (1/8in. i n diameter) was attached at the distal end of the lever arm; the 2-in. segment of the rod was orthogonal with the lever arm and the handle; the 4-in. segment, which was painted black, was parallel to the handle. A flexible plastic position indicator (4 3/4 in. long, 1 in. wide, 1/8 in. thick) was fastened at right angles to the support stand by a movable clamp. T h e target was a black horizontal line 4 in. long and 1/8 in. wide, centered o n a white masonite background. T h e target was fastened to a telescoping support stand, which was secured to a steel base. side to the lever arm and S assumed a normal standing position with his his arm hanging vertically. The height of the shaft was adjusted to correspond to the axis of rotation of S's humerus at the glenohumeral joint, and the length of the lever arm was adjusted to enable S to grasp the handle in a palm-forward position while maintaining an easy, erect standing position. With the lever arm placed i n a horizontal position, the height of the target was adjusted to align directly the target line and the sighting rod; and the target surface was positioned adjacent to the end of the lever arm. With the lever arm placed vertically, rhe position indicator was adjusted to contact the lever arm at the height of the handle. The task consisted of swinging the arm from a vertical starting position forward and upward until the sighting rod was i n line with the target line; S then returned to
FIG.
Experimental apparatu
TEMPO IN REPETITIVE MOVEMENTS
441
the starting position. S was instructed to repeat the movement at a chosen tempo that was ''most comfortable" for him; it was emphasized not to perform at the fastest tempo, but at that tempo which was "most convenient and natural." S was also instructed to begin any time after E gave the signal "Ready" and continue until given the command "Stop." Earphones f~ltered out potential "noise" disturbances from the recording instrument; however, E's signals were audible. After the narure of the task was explained and instructions were given, S performed 10 practice swlngs Following an interval of approximately 15 sec., S then performed 36 consecutive responses. The time for each complete arm oscillation or response time was obtained accurate to .O1 sec. by measuring the distance berween the apices of the recorded oscillations and converting this to temporal units.
RESULTSAND DISCUSSION Fig. 2 shows the mean response times for the males and the females. The performance curves were characterized by an initial decrement in response times apparently resulting from an adjustment to the task. The initial increase in tempo was followed by a plateau in response times. Analysis of variance tests showed that the over-all trend for responses 17 to 35 was not significant for the males ( F = 1.04, df = 18/1332, p > .05) or the females (F = 1.20, df = 18/1332, p > .05), indicating that the curves were virtually asymptotic for responses 17 to 35. Thus, in accordance with Kroll's (1967) recommendation, the mean of response times 17 to 35 was selected as the criterion measure to represent each S's performance; and a performance score was calculated for each S. 1.95 -.-a
FEMALES
E
FIG. 2.
1
5
10
(5
20
P
5U
Mean response times
35
RESPONSES
For both sexes the mean performance score was 1.79 sec. and the betweenS variance was .18 sec. Similarly, Harrison (1941) found an absence of sex differences in preferred tempo of performance for several motor tasks including finger tapping. This finding disagrees with that of Hoffman (1969) who reported a significantly faster preferred finger-tapping tempo for males than for females. There is no apparent explanation for [he inconsistency. Within-S variance, which is the standard deviation of S's response times about his own mean response time, was calculated for each S. A non-significant difference was found between the mean within4 variance for the males (.05
442
F. L. SMOLL
sec.) and the mean within-S variance for t h e females (.06 sec.) indicating that there was no sex difference in consistency of performance (P = 1.22, d f = 1/148, p > .05 1. For the males and the females combined, the between3 variance ( . I 8 sec.) was 72 times greater than the squared mean within3 variance (.0025 sec.). Thus, differences between Ss' selected tempos of performance were considerably greater than the amount of variation in Ss' response times, indicating that individuals have personal or "natural" preferences of voluntary movement tempo which differ from those of other individuals. This suggests that in situations involving repetitive motor responses to externally imposed rhythmic stimuli, whether in the laboratory or gymnasium or on the playing field, consideration should be given to the tempo at which individual performers prefer to move. REFERENCES CRAm,
B. J. Movement behavior and motor learning. (3rd ed.) Philadelphia: Lea
&
Febiger, 1973.
FRISCHEISEN-KOHLER, I. The personal tempo and its inheritance. Character and Par~ o n d i t y 1933. , 1, 301-313.
HARDING, D. W. Rhythmization and speed of work. British Journal of Psychology, 1932, 23, 262-278.
HARRISON, R. Personal tempo and the interrelationships
of voluntary and maximal rates of movement. Journd of General Psychology, 1941, 24, 343-379. HOFFMAN, D. T. Sex differences in preferred finger tapping rates. Perceptual and Motor Skills, 1969, 29, 676. KROLL,W. Reliability theory and research decision in selection of a criterion score. Research Quarterly, 1967, 38, 412-419. RIMOLDI,H. J. A. Personal rempo. Jourml of Abnormal and Social Psychology, 1951, 46, 283-303. SLOAN, M. R. A comparison of group responses to auditory, visual, and kinesthetic rhythms. (Doctoral dissertation, Univer. of Wisconsin, Madison) Ann Arbor, Mich.: Univer. Wcrofilms, 1958. (No. 58-2576) SMOLL,F. L. A rhythmic ability analysis system. Research Quarterly, 1973, 44, 232-236. TISSERAND, M., & GUILHOT,J. Btude du tempo de 335 sujets masculins de la region Parisienne. Biotypologie, 1949, 50, 89-94. WU, C. F. Personal tern and speed in some rate tests. Jourml of Testing (Chinese), 1934, 2, 85-94. Esychological Abstracts, 1935, 9, No. 17091
Accepted December 4, 1974.
PREFERRED TEMPO IN PERFORMANCE OF REPETITIVE MOVEMENTS1 FRANK L. SMOLL University of Warhington Summary.-Within- and between3 variability in performance of repetitive movements at a self-paced tempo was studied. Male and female Ss ( N s = 7 5 ) performed 36 consecutive arm swings at an individually chosen tempo. Differences between Ss' selected tempos of performance were considerably greater than the amount of variation i n Ss' motor response times, indicating that lnd~viduals have preferred tempos of voluntary movement which differ from those of other individuals. No sex differences were evidenced in either preferred tempo or consistency of performance.
Most studies of motor learning and performance are concerned with optimum capacity and utilize procedures in which Ss are exhorted to "do their best" or exert "maximum effort." However, performance elicited from Ss without specific instructions to perform maximally has shown the influence of subtle components of motor behavior concerning how an individual chooses to move. These intrinsic qualities influencing motoric functioning are relatively independent of task requisites and seem to be the outcome of instructions a performer gives himself prior to and during performance of a motor task. Personal rhythm is among this category of variables denoting individual preferences, personal equations, or individual biases in movement (Cratcy, 1973, pp. 181191). Findings of several investigations have szlggerted marked inua-individual consistency and marked inter-individual differences in preferred tempo of performance for tasks involving arm and leg swinging, foot circling, and body bending (Rimoldi, 1951; Sloan, 1958) as well as for typewriting (Harding, 1932), and finger, hand, and foot tapping (Frischeisen-Kohler, 1933; Tisserand & Guilhot, 1949; W u , 1934). In addition to being handicapped by limited statistical analyses, these studies share a procedural shortcoming. Specifically, their measurement techniques involved determination of the number of responses performed in a specified time interval, a procedure that precluded assessment of the performance times of individual responses and subsequent utilization of such values in the data analyses. The present study investigated the nature of within- and between-S variability in performance of repetitive movements at a self-paced tempo. METHOD Ss were 75 male and 75 female Caucasian graduate and undergraduate volunteers. Both sexes ranged in age from 18 t o 30 yr.; the mean age was 23.9 yr. for the males
'This investigation was partially supported by Biomedical Sciences Support Grant RR07096, NIH. Appreciation is extended to Robert W . Schutz for his suggc-srions regarding the data analysis.
440
F. L. SMOLL
and 23.0 yr. for the females. Ss were naive to the purpose of the investigation and had no previous experience with the task. The apparatus (Fig. 1) was a modified version of that described in greater detail by Smoll (1973). The equipment included a target and electromechanical components that transmitted d.c. fluctuations representing anterior-posterior movements of the arm to a recording instrument. A telescoping support stand was affixed to a steel base, which was bolted to a plywood platform for stability. A steel shaft was mounted i n two bearings located at either end of a shaft mounting (8-in. length of pipe), which was affixed at right angles to the upper end of the support stand. A potentiometer was secured coaxially to the shaft and wired to a single-channel recorder (Gilson Medical Electronics Model 1CT-5H). A telescoping lever arm made of two aluminum tubes was attached to the end of the shaft. Oscillating motion of the lever arm was conveyed to the potentiometer which varied an excitation voltage in proportion to the degree of displacement of the lever arm; this oscillating voltage was recorded o n a paper readout. A freely rotating handle was located 3 in. from the distal end of the lever arm and extended at right angles to the lever arm and parallel to the shaft. A n L-shaped brass sighting rod (1/8in. i n diameter) was attached at the distal end of the lever arm; the 2-in. segment of the rod was orthogonal with the lever arm and the handle; the 4-in. segment, which was painted black, was parallel to the handle. A flexible plastic position indicator (4 3/4 in. long, 1 in. wide, 1/8 in. thick) was fastened at right angles to the support stand by a movable clamp. T h e target was a black horizontal line 4 in. long and 1/8 in. wide, centered o n a white masonite background. T h e target was fastened to a telescoping support stand, which was secured to a steel base. side to the lever arm and S assumed a normal standing position with his his arm hanging vertically. The height of the shaft was adjusted to correspond to the axis of rotation of S's humerus at the glenohumeral joint, and the length of the lever arm was adjusted to enable S to grasp the handle in a palm-forward position while maintaining an easy, erect standing position. With the lever arm placed i n a horizontal position, the height of the target was adjusted to align directly the target line and the sighting rod; and the target surface was positioned adjacent to the end of the lever arm. With the lever arm placed vertically, rhe position indicator was adjusted to contact the lever arm at the height of the handle. The task consisted of swinging the arm from a vertical starting position forward and upward until the sighting rod was i n line with the target line; S then returned to
FIG.
Experimental apparatu
TEMPO IN REPETITIVE MOVEMENTS
441
the starting position. S was instructed to repeat the movement at a chosen tempo that was ''most comfortable" for him; it was emphasized not to perform at the fastest tempo, but at that tempo which was "most convenient and natural." S was also instructed to begin any time after E gave the signal "Ready" and continue until given the command "Stop." Earphones f~ltered out potential "noise" disturbances from the recording instrument; however, E's signals were audible. After the narure of the task was explained and instructions were given, S performed 10 practice swlngs Following an interval of approximately 15 sec., S then performed 36 consecutive responses. The time for each complete arm oscillation or response time was obtained accurate to .O1 sec. by measuring the distance berween the apices of the recorded oscillations and converting this to temporal units.
RESULTSAND DISCUSSION Fig. 2 shows the mean response times for the males and the females. The performance curves were characterized by an initial decrement in response times apparently resulting from an adjustment to the task. The initial increase in tempo was followed by a plateau in response times. Analysis of variance tests showed that the over-all trend for responses 17 to 35 was not significant for the males ( F = 1.04, df = 18/1332, p > .05) or the females (F = 1.20, df = 18/1332, p > .05), indicating that the curves were virtually asymptotic for responses 17 to 35. Thus, in accordance with Kroll's (1967) recommendation, the mean of response times 17 to 35 was selected as the criterion measure to represent each S's performance; and a performance score was calculated for each S. 1.95 -.-a
FEMALES
E
FIG. 2.
1
5
10
(5
20
P
5U
Mean response times
35
RESPONSES
For both sexes the mean performance score was 1.79 sec. and the betweenS variance was .18 sec. Similarly, Harrison (1941) found an absence of sex differences in preferred tempo of performance for several motor tasks including finger tapping. This finding disagrees with that of Hoffman (1969) who reported a significantly faster preferred finger-tapping tempo for males than for females. There is no apparent explanation for [he inconsistency. Within-S variance, which is the standard deviation of S's response times about his own mean response time, was calculated for each S. A non-significant difference was found between the mean within4 variance for the males (.05
442
F. L. SMOLL
sec.) and the mean within-S variance for t h e females (.06 sec.) indicating that there was no sex difference in consistency of performance (P = 1.22, d f = 1/148, p > .05 1. For the males and the females combined, the between3 variance ( . I 8 sec.) was 72 times greater than the squared mean within3 variance (.0025 sec.). Thus, differences between Ss' selected tempos of performance were considerably greater than the amount of variation in Ss' response times, indicating that individuals have personal or "natural" preferences of voluntary movement tempo which differ from those of other individuals. This suggests that in situations involving repetitive motor responses to externally imposed rhythmic stimuli, whether in the laboratory or gymnasium or on the playing field, consideration should be given to the tempo at which individual performers prefer to move. REFERENCES CRAm,
B. J. Movement behavior and motor learning. (3rd ed.) Philadelphia: Lea
&
Febiger, 1973.
FRISCHEISEN-KOHLER, I. The personal tempo and its inheritance. Character and Par~ o n d i t y 1933. , 1, 301-313.
HARDING, D. W. Rhythmization and speed of work. British Journal of Psychology, 1932, 23, 262-278.
HARRISON, R. Personal tempo and the interrelationships
of voluntary and maximal rates of movement. Journd of General Psychology, 1941, 24, 343-379. HOFFMAN, D. T. Sex differences in preferred finger tapping rates. Perceptual and Motor Skills, 1969, 29, 676. KROLL,W. Reliability theory and research decision in selection of a criterion score. Research Quarterly, 1967, 38, 412-419. RIMOLDI,H. J. A. Personal rempo. Jourml of Abnormal and Social Psychology, 1951, 46, 283-303. SLOAN, M. R. A comparison of group responses to auditory, visual, and kinesthetic rhythms. (Doctoral dissertation, Univer. of Wisconsin, Madison) Ann Arbor, Mich.: Univer. Wcrofilms, 1958. (No. 58-2576) SMOLL,F. L. A rhythmic ability analysis system. Research Quarterly, 1973, 44, 232-236. TISSERAND, M., & GUILHOT,J. Btude du tempo de 335 sujets masculins de la region Parisienne. Biotypologie, 1949, 50, 89-94. WU, C. F. Personal tern and speed in some rate tests. Jourml of Testing (Chinese), 1934, 2, 85-94. Esychological Abstracts, 1935, 9, No. 17091
Accepted December 4, 1974.
