Component-Total Task Relationships: Simple and Sequential Practice Effects

Abstract

The Complex Coordinator was used to examine simple and sequential practice effects on component-total task relations. Part-tasks were three single-level (one rudder and two stick control) tasks, and three double-level (one stick-stick and two rudder-stick) tasks. Of 126 paid male volunteers, 63 practiced first on a part-task then on the total task, and 63 practiced in the reverse sequence. In each of these groups, 7 sub-groups of 9 subjects each were assigned randomly to each of the 6 part tasks and to the total task. Two sessions of five (two-minute) trials were given, with a 15 minute rest between sessions. All groups improved across trials and across sessions, regardless of the task practiced first. However, the single-level rudder task facilitated total practice most. Also, practice on the most difficult among single and double level tasks, respectively, led to the best total task performance. Evidence was also found for distinguishing between multi-limb coordination (coordinated movements of more than one limb, each in a single dimension), and multidimensional coordination (coordinated movements of one limb in more than one dimension).