The effects of muscle and mental fatigue on visual perception and hand dexterity skills

Hand dexterity and visual perception skills are important to human beings and these skills assist us in our everyday lives. Different types of fatigue could possibly influence hand dexterity and visual perception skills. PURPOSE: The purpose of this investigation was to determine the effects of localized muscle fatigue and mental fatigue on visual perception, hand dexterity, and in-hand dexterity activities. METHODS: The research consisted of a within subjects design including 15 subjects (13 females and 2 males). Subjects performed a control trial, an upper body ergometery trial and theraputty localized hand fatiguing exercises. Following the randomized treatments, subjects performed a test battery of test examining hand dexterity and visual perception skills. KEY WORDS: occupational therapy, dexterity, visual perception, fatigue, theraputty, ergomete