Performance on a Skilled Task after Physical Work or in a High Altitude Environment

Abstract

The purpose of this experiment was to examine the effects of heavy physical work and of a high terrestrial environment on the complex psychomotor skill of pistol firing. Six Ss walked on a treadmill, using the titration procedure, to four different degrees of fatigue. With instructions for either rapid or accurate firing, S, on a light signal, got off the treadmill and fired six shots. Scores were analyzed in terms of time from the turning on of the light until the pistol was picked up, time to fire the first shot, time to fire the remaining five shots in a series, and the accuracy of all six shots. Time to fire the pistol on the first shot and time to fire the remaining five shots were affected by treatments. The effects on pistol shooting of a high terrestrial environment were studied in eight men taken rapidly from sea level to an altitude of 14,110 ft. The same general procedures were used but no fatigue was induced. High altitude increased speed of firing and decreased accuracy.