Effects of Precision of Knowledge of Results on Performance of a Gross Motor Coincidence-Anticipation Task

• Published in: Journal of motor behavior 1981-03, Vol.13 (1), p.9-17
• Main Authors: Jensen, Barbara E., Picado, Marta E., Morenz, Cheryl
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• ISSN: 0022-2895; 1940-1027
• DOI: 10.1080/00222895.1981.10735233

The purpose of the investigation was to determine the effects from three knowledge of results (KR) precision levels (qualitative; 0.10 sec, 0.001 sec) on the performance of a gross motor coincidence-anticipation task where subjects performed with visual and other sense modality input. Other variables included in the analysis were sex, movement distance, and practice over three blocks of trials. Absolute error (AE), constant error (CE), variable error (VE), and E scores (E) of the subjects from two experiments (N = 90; N = 54) were analyzed with 3x2x2 x 3 ANOVAs with repeated measures on the last two factors (feedback, sex, movement distance, blocks). Consistent findings from both experiments indicated that, for this gross motor coincidence-anticipation task, the subjects performed as accurately and as consistently when they received qualitative KR as when, in addition, they received more precise KR. Subjects performed with less error on the short as opposed to the long distance pattern. Males performed with less error on the long movement pattern than females in Experiment 1; however, the only sex difference noted in Experiment 2, when the movement distances were shortened, was that males had a more on-time CE mean score.