Directional ballistic movement with transported mass

Abstract

By applying Newton's Law of motion and assuming an approximate sinusoidal or trapezoidal waveform for the acceleration pattern, time for a ballistic movement is shown to be a function of the square root of movement amplitude and total moment of inertia. This equation is the ballistic equivalent of Fitts' equation for visually controlled movements. The experimental data gave excellent correlation with the mathematical models. Direction of movement had no significant effect on movement time for the loads used in this experiment. Even though the models were developed for movement about the elbow, the models were applicable to movement using both the shoulder and elbow. It was adequate to assume a constant average maximum muscle torque in the model.