Prediction of Speed of Performance by Muscle Action Potentials

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Abstract
A relationship was found between reaction time to aperiodic stimuli and frequency of muscle action potentials during a 6-sec. interval before the onset of the stimuli. The task was to respond by pressing a key as quickly as possible when the simultaneous flash of a light and sound of a buzzer were presented. Presentation of the stimulus, occurrence of the response, frequency of action potentials from surface electrodes placed over the supraorbital muscles, low-frequency potentials from the same electrodes, and muscle action potential rate from electrodes on the hand, were all simultaneously recorded. The record showed a gradual transition from sleep to a condition of normal alertness. A knock on the door produced a "startle" reaction with a resumption of muscle spike activity, low-frequency activity, and a pressing of the response key in the absence of a stimulus. A 2d stimulus produced a response slower than normal, while a 3d stimulus, 6 secs. later, produced a normal reaction time. Two major observations were made from the data. First, there was a definite and distinct reduction in the number of muscle action potentials as the response time became longer. Secondly, the absolute variability decreased with decreasing motor efficiency. These methods may make it possible automatically to warn personnel engaged in monotonous tasks before inalertness and sleep occur.

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