Degradation of force-loaded pursuit tracking performance in a dual-task paradigm†

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Abstract
Fifty-four subjects performed pursuit tracking on a specially modified pursuit rotor. Each subject tracked for 2 min at each of three levels of force, both with and without a simultaneous auditory attention task. The presence of the auditory task resulted in a significant degradation of tracking performance. This degradation was most severe for the females in the sample. Performance degradation was also related to the position along the tracking path in which the tracking occurred. Performance on the auditory task was significantly affected both by the difficulty level of the task, and by the amount of force exertion required on the pursuit rotor. Results are discussed in terms of task compatibility and cockpit design.