Aging,Motor Control,and the Performance of Computer Mouse Tasks

Abstract

Because of the increased presence of computers in work and everyday life and the demographic "graying" of America, there is a need for interface designs that promote accessibility for older people. This study examined age differences in the performance of basic computer mouse control techniques. An additional goal of the study was to examine the influence of age-related changes in psychomotor abilities on mouse control. A total of 60 participants in 3 age groups (20--39 years, 40--59 years, and 60--75 years) performed 4 target acquisition tasks (pointing, clicking, double-clicking, and dragging) using a computer mouse. The data indicated that the older participants had more difficulty performing mouse tasks than the younger participants. Differences in performance attributable to age were found for the more complex tasks (clicking and double-clicking). Furthermore, age-related changes in psychomotor abilities were related to age differences in performance. We discuss applications to computer interface designs. Actual or potential applications of this research include specifications for computer mouse design to accommodate older populations.

Get full access to this article

View all access options for this article.

References

Akamatsu, M. , MacKenzie, I. S. , & Hasbroucq, T. (1995). A comparison of tactile, auditory, and visual feedback in a pointing task using a mouse-type device. Ergonomics, 38, 816–827.

Charness, N. , Bosman, E. A. , & Elliott, R. G. (1995, August). Senior-friendly input devices: Is the pen mightier than the mouse? Paper presented at the 103rd Annual Convention of the American Psychological Association Meeting, New York.

Czaja, S. J. , & Sharit, J. (1998). Ability-performance relationships as a function of age and task experience for a data entry task. Journal of Experimental Psychology: Applied, 4, 332–351.

Ekstrom, R. B. , French, J. W. , Harman, H. H. , & Derman, D. (1976). Manual for kit factor-referenced cognitive tests. Princeton, NJ: Educational Testing Service.

Morgan, M. , Phillips, J. G. , Bradshaw, J. L. , Mattingley, J. B. , Iansek, R. , & Bradshaw, J. A. (1994). Age-related motor slowness: Simply strategic? Journal of Gerontology: Medical Sciences, 49(3), M133–M139.

Pohl, P. S. , Winstein, C. J. , & Fisher, B. E. (1996). The locus of age-related movement slowing: Sensory processing in continuous goal-directed aiming. Journal of Gerontology: Psychological Sciences, 51B(2), 94–102

Reitan, R. M. (1958). Validity of the trail making test as an indication of organic brain damage. Perceptual and Motor Skills, 9, 271–276.

Riviere, C. N. , & Thakor, N. V. (1996). Effects of age and disability on tracking tasks with a computer mouse: Accuracy and linearity. Journal of Rehabilitation Research and Development, 33(1), 6–15.

Seidler, R. D. , & Stelmach, G. E. (1995). Reduction in sensorimotor control with age. Quest, 47, 386–394.

10.

Teeken, J. C. , Adam, J. J. , Pass, F. G. W. C. , van Boxtel, M. P. J. , Houx, P. J. , & Jolles, J. (1996). Effects of age and gender on discrete and reciprocal aiming movements. Psychology and Aging, 11(2), 195–198.

11.

Tiffin, J. (1968). Purdue Pegboard Examiner's Test Rosemont, IL: London House.

12.

Walker, N. , Millians, J. , & Worden, A. (1996). Mouse accelerations and performance of older computer users. In Proceedings of the Human Factors and Ergonomics Society 40th Annual Meeting (pp. 151–154). Santa Monica, CA: Human Factors and Ergonomics Society.

13.

Walker, N. , Philbin, D. A. , & Fisk, A. D. (1997). Age-related differences in movement control: Adjusting submovement structure to optimize performance. Journal of Gerontology: Psychological Sciences, 52B, 40–52.

14.

Wechsler, D. (1981). Wechsler Memory Scale-Revised Manual New York: The Psychological Corporation.