Biomedical subjects
Publications and source records attributed to A W Salmoni.
45 older adults were tested twice per year for three years in a 9 (psychomotor) by 30 (health status, well-being) matrix of variables. That only 84 significant correlations were found suggests no relationship between psychomotor performance and health status.
The results of the three experiments provide insight into the time/motion characteristics of racquetball and the physiological responses of elite-level racquetball players during competition. The maximum oxygen uptakes of the male and female athletes tested were relatively low in comparison to those of other elite-level sports, suggesting that aerobic demand, although necessary, is probably not a limiting factor at this level of racquetball play. Racquetball games at the elite level last from 10 to 15 min, and the distance covered by each player during this time is minimal. Even though the rest periods between rallies are from one to two times as long as the work intervals, the work intensity during the rallies is sufficient to produce an average heart rate of between 75 and 95% of maximum throughout most of a game. Although some lactic acid accumulates in the blood, the concentration remains at a steady state during a game (10 to 30% of maximum).
The main purpose of this research was to determine the numeric values of Weber's fraction when subjects were required to estimate temporal durations of 1, 3, 5, 7, and 9 sec. under the method of reproduction. The results provided evidence in support of a constant coefficient of proximity for time estimation of approximately 14.5%.
The purpose of this research was to determine the retroactive interference effects of a single interpolated task (i.e., one temporal duration) on the retention of a criterion duration. This research is of interest because the mnemonic structure of temporal information of different durations is uncertain. Previous research has indicated that there might be a difference in structure for durations of 1 and 4 sec., although the results are inconsistent. Thus, two criterion durations of 1 and 4 sec. and five interpolated durations (i.e., 60%, 80%, 100%, 120%, and 140% of the duration of the criterion) were utilized under the method of reproduction. In addition, subjects were instructed to use either a counting strategy or none (referred to as conscious time estimation) to facilitate the retention of the temporal information. Recall was less variable when using a counting strategy than not and when estimating 1 sec. than 4 sec. However, there was no effect of interpolated activity when comparing performance across different interpolated conditions (no interpolated activity). Apparently, one interpolated duration is not sufficient to produce structural interference with a single criterion duration.
Past and current National Alpine Ski Team (NAST) members were surveyed via a mailed questionnaire regarding their educational progress and attainment, career path, parental education and income, as well as their perceptions as to the effect of skiing on dimensions of personal development. The questionnaire was completed by 86% of the total possible (64 of 74) respondents. Although it was found that educational progress was retarded by involvement in elite level skiing, this conclusion could only be drawn if it was assumed that in skiers between 13 and 21 years of age, each one year change in chronological age is 'normally' accompanied by similar academic progress. It was found that upon retirement from NAST 78% of the skiers continued their formal education, with a high level of success. These results were compared to other studies concerning educational attainment.
Three age groups were studied: 10-11, 17-18, and 23-24 year-olds. Significant correlations were found between aerobic fitness and physical activity level and between aerobic fitness and reaction time, in the oldest group only.
The main purpose of the present research was to investigate the role of self-pacing trial procedures in time estimation. Auditory durations of 1, 4, and 8 sec. were estimated by 12 subjects under the method of reproduction. Different features of performance were investigated using several dependent variables. When left to themselves, subjects chose a relatively short intertrial interval, the duration of which did not differ across the three criterion durations. This finding seemed best explained as an attempt by the subjects to minimize boredom and maximize alertness. Also, subjects waited for a short time before reproducing the criterion duration, and again this period did not differ across the three criterion durations. A significant relationship was found between the duration of the self-paced intertrial interval and self-paced retention interval for all criterion durations. It appeared that subjects were attempting to maximize their time-estimation performance by either minimizing the retention interval or by developing a trial-interval rhythm. Finally, subjects were more variable in their estimates as the criterion duration increased.
The purpose of the present research was to examine proactive interference in general and assimilation effects (i.e., shifts in constant error caused by prior responses) in particular, when subjects used covert counting to aid their retention of the temporal information. Visually presented durations of 1, 4, and 8 sec. were estimated by 18 subjects under the method of reproduction. Three retention intervals (i.e., immediate, 15, and 30 sec.) and three intertrial intervals (i.e., immediate, 15, and 30 sec.) were employed. Analysis of constant error provided no indication that proactive interference was operating in the retention of temporal information as there was no increase in error across trials, no increase in error for longer retention intervals, and no interaction between trials and retention intervals. Also, there was no change in variable error as the retention intervals lengthened for any temporal duration except for the 4-sec. criterion. Finally, the rate of counting (counting units/sec.) was different across the durations to be remembered. The major conclusion of the present research was that counting greatly facilitates retention of temporal information as compared to retention without such a time-aiding strategy.
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Employing Fitts' reciprocal tapping task, the capacity of the motor system in bits processed/second was assessed across different ages. In Exp. I a comparison was made among Grades 1, 5, 9, and university females. Motor capacity and average movement time/tap were significantly lower for Grade 1 girls than the other three grades. In addition, within-subject variability and percentage error rate decreased with increasing grade level. These findings were discussed in comparison to other studies looking at motor capacity changes across ages. Exp. II was designed to study the changes in motor capacity throughout 25 days of practice by two 5-yr.-old children. Two different methods were used to calculate motor capacity. One method (Kay, 1962) which assessed motor capacity separately for each tapping condition led to the conclusion that capacity increased with practice. A second method (Fitts & Peterson, 1964) treating all tapping conditions together in a regression equation and measuring capacity as the reciprocal of the slope (1/b) showed capacity to decrease with practice for one subject and oscillate with practice for the other subject. The general conclusion drawn from the two experiments was that motor capacity, as assessed by Fitts' tapping task, is not an extremely useful measure. Consideration of movement time is usually just as informative.
Under current financial restraints, planning for the future long-term-care needs of older Canadians is coming under increasing scrutiny. Even though health care is moving to a community-based system (i.e., deinstitutionalization), this is not necessarily the most cost-effective strategy for severely disabled older adults. Three models are used in the present paper to estimate the number of severely disabled (two or more ADL disabilities abilities) older adults expected in the next 5 to 10 years in a small community in Northern Ontario. While mortality and disability rates are the main predictors, it was also necessary to consider additional factors particular to the community in question. It is suggested that for long-term-care planning to be effective and economically sound, similar strategies will be needed throughout Canada.