Velocity, Occlusion, and Sex of Subjects in Coincidence of Anticipation

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to assess effects of velocity, occlusion distance, and sex on coincidence of anticipation. The Bassin anticipation timer was used to test 25 men and 25 women when velocity was .69 m/sec. and 1.38 m/sec. or “slow” and “fast”, and occlusion distances of zero, 1.06 m and 2.12 m were “zero,” “small,” and “large” on a 4.25-m length of track. There were six test conditions. Analysis showed that increased occlusion distances produced increased absolute, constant, and variable error scores. A significant interaction of velocity and occlusion appeared for all error measures. With an increase in occlusion distance at the slow velocity constant error increased in the positive direction or early response while at the fast velocity a similar increase in constant errors was seen but in the negative direction or late response. Under zero occlusion the expectation that performance at the fast velocity would be more accurate and show less variability than at the slow velocity was not supported. Also, sex did not significantly affect anticipation time in any condition or on any error measures.