title: The effect of direction on cursor moving kinematics.
abstract: There have been only few studies to substantiate the kinematic characteristics of cursor movement. In this study, a quantitative experimental research method was used to explore the effect of moving direction on the kinematics of cursor movement in 24 typical young persons using our previously developed computerized measuring program. The results of multiple one way repeated measures ANOVAs and post hoc LSD tests demonstrated that the moving direction had effects on average velocity, movement time, movement unit and peak velocity. Moving leftward showed better efficiency than moving rightward, upward and downward from the kinematic evidences such as velocity, movement unit and time. Moreover, the unique pattern of the power spectral density (PSD) of velocity (strategy for power application) explained why the smoothness was still maintained while moving leftward even under an unstable situation with larger momentum. Moreover, the information from this cursor moving study can guide us to relocate the toolbars and icons in the window interface, especially for individuals with physical disabilities whose performances are easily interrupted while controlling the cursor in specific directions.
authors.affiliation: Department of Occupational Therapy, Institute of Clinical Behavioral Science, Chang Gung University, No. 259, Wen-Hwa 1st Road, Kwei-Shan, Taoyuan 333, Taiwan. lfmeng@mail.cgu.edu.tw
authors.forename: Ling-Fu
authors.initials: LF
authors.lastname: Meng
authors.forename: Hsin-Yung
authors.initials: HY
authors.lastname: Chen
authors.forename: Chiu-Ping
authors.initials: CP
authors.lastname: Lu
authors.forename: Ming-Chung
authors.initials: MC
authors.lastname: Chen
authors.forename: Chi-Nung
authors.initials: CN
authors.lastname: Chu
mesh_terms: D003196:Computer Graphics; D016287:Computer Peripherals; D003198:Computer Simulation; D006801:Humans; D015233:Models, Statistical; D009038:Motion; D013647:Task Performance and Analysis; D014584:User-Computer Interface; D015443:Word Processing