The dynamics of human isometric pointing movements under varying accuracy requirements

The goal of the present study was to explore the relation between speed-accuracy trade-off phenomena and action kinematics in the case of pointing under isometric conditions. Increasing task difficulty resulted in a linear increase in movement time las predicted by Fitts' law) and in systematic changes in the spatio-temporal patterning of force production. The observed changes in motion topology were similar to those reported for isotonic tasks and adequately captured by a limit cycle model derived for the latter type of task. These results indicate that, for isometric force control as for isotonic position control, the reasons underlying the emergence of Fitts' law might be sought in dynamic trajectory formation processes. (C) 2000 Elsevier Science Ireland Ltd. All rights reserved.