It was important for the test protocol to be brief. Tests conducted included visual information processing speed (under two different information loads and using upper extremity and lower extremity responders separately), upper and lower extremity neuromotor channel capacity (basically, a coordination measure that looks at the underlying "resource" available for speed and accuracy of movements), and grip strength and endurance (merely a sample of strength and endurance resources associated with one subsystem). Equipment included Models BEP I (central processing and upper extremity neuromotor control), BEP II (lower extremity neuromotor control), and BEP III (isometric strength) devices, commercially available versions of devices developed at HPI (see Human Performance Measurement, Inc.)
Additional data collection is planned to build a sufficient sample size to investigate the various questions of interest. This project augments other research efforts at HPI that are related to driving and human performance. One goal is to derive quantitative models of different driving tasks; i.e. determine how much of different performance resources is required to achieve a given level of performance in the driving task.
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HPI Director, Dr. G. Kondraske at Indy (left) and driver Jimmy Kite with Dr. Bob Ward at makeshift trackside "lab". |
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Dr. Kondraske instructing Jimmy Kite (left) prior to execution of upper extremity neuromotor channel capacity test (left). |
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Driver Billy Roe executing a grip endurance test (left) and Jim Kite executing lower extremity neuromotor channel capacity test with Dr. Kondraske administering test (right). |
Kondraske, G.V. & Ward, R.D. (1999). Potential nutraceutical-induced changes performance measured in an Indy Racing League driver. Proceedings of the Fisher Institute for Medical Research, 1(2):10-18.
