| abstract |
Tracking instrumentation for measuring human motor control includes a load cell or potentiometer for converting a force or position to an electrical signal. An analog-to-digital converter periodically samples the electrical signal and converts it into a series of digital words representing a force amplitude value. A computer system includes a monitor for displaying a tracking element, the position of the tracking element controlled by the digital words. The computer system further includes means for displaying a tracking pattern on the monitor and plotting scaled values on the monitor superimposed on the tracking pattern. The values are plotted so that the user operating a handgrip can adjust the handgrip in an attempt to track the pattern across the monitor. The system further includes means and methods for recording and analyzing the tracking performance data and for objectively scoring the tracking data. |