THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN OCCUPATIONAL FORM AND OCCUPATIONAL PERFORMANCE - A KINEMATIC PERSPECTIVE

Objectives. This study examined, through kinematic analysis, the effec t of occupational form on reaching performance. The hypothesis was tha t reaching performance would show an enhanced quality of movement in m aterials-based occupation (i.e., pick up a pencil and prepare to write one's own name) than in imagery-based occupation (i.e., pretend to pi ck up a pencil and prepare to sign one's own name) and in exercise (i. e., move the arm forward). It was further hypothesized that imagery-ba sed occupation would elicit better performance than exercise. Method. The reaching performance was measured, using WATSMART(TM) (Waterloo Sp atial Motion Analysis & Recording Technique), by the variables includi ng reaction time, movement time, number of movement units, total displ acement, the amplitude of peak velocity, and percentage of reach in wh ich peak velocity occurred. A repeated-measures counterbalanced resear ch design was used with 37 female college students. Contrast analysis was used to test the hypotheses. Results. Materials-based occupation e licited enhanced quality of movement performance, as compared with ima gery-based occupation and exercise. However, exercise seemed to elicit better performance than imagery-based occupation. Conclusion. The pra ctical implication is that materials-based occupation might be used to elicit enhanced quality of reaching movement in occupational therapy intervention.