Stimulus velocity effect in a complex interceptive task in right- and left-handers

Stimulus velocity effect in a complex interceptive task in right- and left-handers

Paula Cristina Rodrigues[1]*; Ricardo Barbosa2; Ana Isabel Carita3; João Barreiros4; Olga Vasconcelos5

1, 2, 5 - Motor Control and Learning Laboratory, Faculty of Sport, University of Porto. Rua Dr. Plácido Costa 91, 4200-450 Porto, Portugal.

3, 4 - Department of Human Movement Sciences, Faculty of Human Kinetics – Technical University of Lisbon. Estrada da Costa, Cruz Quebrada, 1495-688, Cruz Quebrada-Dafundo, Portugal

Keywords: Coincidence-anticipation; Stimulus velocity; Handedness; Manual asymmetry

The authors declare that this manuscript has never been previously published and submitted simultaneously for publication elsewhere.

Abstract

This study investigated stimulus velocity effect on manual asymmetry during planning and execution of a complex coincidence anticipation task. Left- and right-handers were required to press six buttons sequentially in conjunction with visual stimulus provided by a coincidence-anticipation device. Results showed that (1) stimulus velocity affected timing response and timing accuracy only for right-handers, who responded faster but less accurately in the fast stimulus velocity, (2) manual asymmetries for both handedness groups revealed a left-hand advantage for initiating the movement, and a preferred-hand advantage for movement time. The preferred-hand advantage in timing accuracy was only observed in the fast stimulus velocity. These findings are discussed in the framework of the hemispheric functional lateralization.

Introduction

Motor acts involving receiving, intercepting or batting a moving object depend on the efficiency of decision-making processes, through a decision that involves selecting the best answer and the right time of their execution. Such a process allows, for example, the interception of trajectories, as in the case of a ball that is passed between two opponents, or the attempt to prevent such