Measurement of Cognitive Load Dynamics in a High-Speed Oppositional Task

Abstract

Attentional dynamics in complex, high-stakes environments are shown with the additional challenge of a live opponent. A traditional martial arts task-model offers a training structure that integrates complex state, cue and option knowledge for access under time-pressure. Participants challenge each other iteratively within a network of linked tasks (‘∼1 cycle/second). Input to each person resembles real-world unpredictability, which is not truly unstructured. Interactions among four performance dimensions reveal individual differences in management of cognitive loading. Results also show a clear dynamic balancing the total load managed by each of 10 dyads, defining opponents as a system, pushing each other toward cognitive overload and failure. The task's dimensionality and self-organization generates individualized training. This research offers points of interest to situation awareness and cognitive systems, individual differences and training.

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