Changes in the amplitude and direction of goal-directed hand movements in the lack of visual information.

The goal of the present investigation was to determine the precision of goal-directed hand movements in the lack of visual information. The movement amplitude and direction was examined under different experimental conditions. Subjects were ten female and ten male university students. The motor test was drawing 10 cm long straight line and 24 cm long zigzag line in four different experimental conditions. 1) The drawing with open eyes was followed immediately with drawing with closed eyes. 2) The drawing was executed from memory in the lack of visual information. 3) Drawing with restricted amplitude or direction. 4) Drawing with verbal feedback. The errors of the target distance and the lateral deviations from the target were different under the different experimental conditions. The largest errors and underestimation of the target distance occurred in drawing horizontal straight line with closed eyes. No statistically significant gender differences were found. It is concluded that the practice, adjustment of single movement parameter to the target, and the verbal feedback assist better the accuracy of unseen goal-directed hand movement than the recent visual memory.

Comparative analysis of the effects of physical exercise.

The purpose of this study was to assess anthropometrical, somatomotor, and cardio respiratory characteristics of athletes and non-athletes subjects to establish which effects of the organized physical training discriminate well between them. Subjects were 61 athlete and non-athlete medical students. Four groups were formed relying upon gender and physical activity. Body measures were computed. The motor abilities were tested by a set of static and dynamic motor tests, and cardio respiratory functions were recorded. No statistically significant differences were obtained from the comparisons of the body measures of basketball players and non-athlete medical students, except the body height. In contrast, significant differences were found both between the motor performances and between the cardio respiratory functions of the athlete and non-athlete groups. The body mass index (BMI) and the body fat (%) correlated negatively with static hanging, vertical jumping, and balance capability. On the contrary, BMI and body fat correlated positively with systolic blood pressure and vital capacity. The present results show that the effects of regular physical exercise on motor performances and cardio respiratory functions differentiate better between the athlete and non-athlete subjects than the changes in body measures.