Human Information Processing of the Speed of Various Movements Estimated Based on Trajectory Change

Abstract

Fitts’ approach, which examines the information processing of the human motor system, has the problem that the movement speed is controlled by the difficulty index of the task, which the participant uniquely sets, but it is an arbitrary speed. This study rigorously aims to examine the relationship between movement speed and information processing using Woodworth’s method to control movement speed. Furthermore, we examined movement information processing using an approach that calculates probability-based information entropy and mutual information quantity between points from trajectory analysis. Overall, 17 experimental conditions were applied, 16 being externally controlled and one being self-paced with maximum speed. Considering that information processing occurs when irregularities decrease, the point at which information processing occurs switches at a movement frequency of approximately 3.0–3.25 Hz. Previous findings have suggested that motor control switches with increasing movement speed; thus, our approach helps explore human information processing in detail. Note that the characteristics of information processing in movement speed changes that were identified in this study were derived from one participant, but they are important characteristics of human motor control.