Time-on-task period for unimpaired tracking performance

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Abstract
Previous studies reported 30min as a time-on-task period for unimpaired human mental performance. Recently this author observed 25 min on task as a period for unimpaired compensatory tracking performance (Beshir et at. 1981). The purpose of this study is to utilize a pursuit tracking task in order to determine the time-on-task period for unimpaired tracking performance Six male college students participated as subjects in this study. Each performed a pursuit tracking task in addition to two other perceptual motor tasks under four different air temperature levels: 18·3, 21·1, 23·3, and 25·6°C dry-bulb temperature (65, 70, 74 and 78°F) The analysis of variance (ANOVA) of the results showed highly significant effects at the 1% level for both the time-on-task and the air temperature on the pursuit tracking performance. An increase in time-on-task resulted in deterioration of the pursuit tracking performance. Significant deterioration in pursuit tracking performance was observed after 15 min on task From the results of the present study and the study by Beshir et al. (1981), it can be concluded that the time-on-task period for unimpaired tracking performance varies between 15 and 25 min. The higher the required task demands, the shorter will be the time-on-task period for unimpaired tracking performance. Finally, from the findings of these experiments, it is recommended that for workers performing tracking as a primary task, the effects of time-on-task on their performance can be eliminated if they participate in other tasks during their working session.

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