The effects of spatial movement components precues on the execution of rapid aiming in children aged 7, 9, and 11

The aim of the present study was twofold: first, to investigate the effects of spatial precues on the execution of rapid aiming in children aged 7, 9, and 11 and second, to provide a kinematic support to the investigation of the role of precues in aiming tasks performed under temporal constraints. F our precuing conditions were used, where participants received: (a) no prec ue of any type, (b) advance information on direction, (c) advance informati on on amplitude, and (d) complete information on the forthcoming movement. Our results showed that precuing the spatial dimensions of movement shorten s reaction times, that such shortening is a function of the number of precu ed parameters, and that spatial precues modify the kinematics of the childr en's rapid aiming movements. Peak velocity increased with direction and/or amplitude, suggesting that precues play a significant role in motor prepara tion. Moreover, the accuracy results indicate that direction precuing induc es a proactive directional regulation. Finally, direction and amplitude app ear to be independently specified in children, (C) 2000 Academic Press.