Effect of movement direction and sitting/standing on leg movement time

• Leg movement times for different postures and movement directions are reported.
• Equations are given for movement times for each posture condition.
• Movement times are shorter when standing than when sitting.
• Lateral movement times are shorter than forward movement times.

Data on leg movement times are summarised and it is noted that there is a need for more consistent data gathering. Experiments are reported for movements made either ballistically or with ongoing visual control, along with participants standing or sitting with leg movements made both in the sagittal and frontal planes. These conditions fulfil all commonly used foot-control situations. Regression equations are given for the movement times for each of these tasks. It is found that a modified form of Fitts' law is required to model the times for movements made with visual control, having an additional term in which movement time increases with increase of movement amplitude. Movements without ongoing visual control had movement times that increased linearly with movement amplitude.Relevance to industryMany devices require control by the foot as well as the hands. We provide detailed information on the times for foot movements as dependent on the form of movement, posture of the operator and the direction of leg movement.