Mass discrimination under Gz acceleration. 1991

J J Darwood, and D W Repperger, and C D Goodyear
Wright State University, Dayton, OH.

The purpose of this study was to assess how the perception of mass discrimination is affected by elevated Gz acceleration. Previous experiments studied mass discrimination under weightless conditions. Ten subjects were tested with the Dynamic Environment Simulator (DES) at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base. Masses of 105, 110, 115, 120, and 125 g were compared to a 100-g standard for delta Ms of 5, 10, 15, 20, and 25 g. The subject had to choose which mass felt heavier. This was done at 1, 2, and 4 Gz. Significant differences were found between each of the G levels, and the subjects made more errors at higher Gz. Significant differences were also found between each of the delta Ms, except between delta Ms of 20 and 25 g. Using regression lines, the difference limen was calculated at the 75% correct response level for each Gz. The Weber fraction was found by dividing the difference limen by the 100-g standard. Weber fraction of 0.085, 0.116, and 0.145 were found at 1, 2, and 4 Gz, respectively. Impairment to discrimination was shown by calculating the ratio of the Weber fraction of the elevated Gz to 1 Gz. This demonstrated an impairment to mass discrimination at 1.36 at 2 Gz and 1.71 at 4 Gz. Impairment of mass discrimination under elevated G indicates that loss of adaptation is more important than weight or mass constancy or any other factors which would increase gravitational sensory cues. This study attempted to show adaptation by comparing runs done on different days. To show aftereffect, intervals of 1 G were compared to each other. The study did not find any adaptation or aftereffect. When compared to previous studies done in weightlessness, microgravity was found to be more detrimental to mass discrimination than macrogravity, at least up to 4 Gz.

UI MeSH Term Description Entries
D004056 Differential Threshold The smallest difference which can be discriminated between two stimuli or one which is barely above the threshold. Difference Limen,Just-Noticeable Difference,Weber-Fechner Law,Difference Limens,Difference, Just-Noticeable,Differences, Just-Noticeable,Differential Thresholds,Just Noticeable Difference,Just-Noticeable Differences,Law, Weber-Fechner,Limen, Difference,Limens, Difference,Threshold, Differential,Thresholds, Differential,Weber Fechner Law
D006112 Gravitation Acceleration produced by the mutual attraction of two masses, and of magnitude inversely proportional to the square of the distance between the two centers of mass. It is also the force imparted by the earth, moon, or a planet to an object near its surface. (From NASA Thesaurus, 1988) G Force,Gravistimulation,Gravity,Force, G,G Forces,Gravities
D006801 Humans Members of the species Homo sapiens. Homo sapiens,Man (Taxonomy),Human,Man, Modern,Modern Man
D000054 Acceleration An increase in the rate of speed. Accelerations
D000222 Adaptation, Physiological The non-genetic biological changes of an organism in response to challenges in its ENVIRONMENT. Adaptation, Physiologic,Adaptations, Physiologic,Adaptations, Physiological,Adaptive Plasticity,Phenotypic Plasticity,Physiological Adaptation,Physiologic Adaptation,Physiologic Adaptations,Physiological Adaptations,Plasticity, Adaptive,Plasticity, Phenotypic
D012858 Size Perception The sensory interpretation of the dimensions of objects. Perception, Size,Perceptions, Size,Size Perceptions
D013026 Space Flight Travel beyond the earth's atmosphere. Space Exploration,Space Travel,Spaceflight,Exploration, Space,Explorations, Space,Flight, Space,Flights, Space,Space Explorations,Space Flights,Space Travels,Spaceflights,Travel, Space,Travels, Space
D014892 Weight Perception Recognition and discrimination of the heaviness of a lifted object. Perception, Weight,Perceptions, Weight,Weight Perceptions
D016014 Linear Models Statistical models in which the value of a parameter for a given value of a factor is assumed to be equal to a + bx, where a and b are constants. The models predict a linear regression. Linear Regression,Log-Linear Models,Models, Linear,Linear Model,Linear Regressions,Log Linear Models,Log-Linear Model,Model, Linear,Model, Log-Linear,Models, Log-Linear,Regression, Linear,Regressions, Linear

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