engleski

Localisation of the pacing mechanism during self-paced work

Since the results of some previous studies indicated possible existence of a central pacing mechanism in self-paced working conditions, the aim of this study was to try to find its cortical location. It was hypothesised that such a mechanism would be more active during self-paced, and less active during machine-paced work, which could be seen via EEG. Twelve subjects took part in this study by doing a simple repetitive task in self-paced and machine-paced conditions, for two hours. On the basis of their self-paced performance the subjects were divided in slow and fast working group. Both groups had EEG alpha and beta activity continuously recorded during the two working conditions. The analyses of changes in EEG showed that slower subjects had no differences in alpha supression, or beta presence, between self-paced and machine-paced working conditions. The faster group, however, had a higher alpha supression and beta presence during machine-paced, than in self-paced work, in the primary sensory area (CP4) and the secondary motor area (FC3), which was the opposite than expected. Nevertheless, the results suggest the existance of a central pacing mechanism, not as a single center, but as a system located in the primary sensory area, and the secondary motor area. The discrepancy between expected and obtained results may be due to the entrainment of the central pacing rhythm by the machine pacing rhythm, as it was shown in some earlier studies on cardiac activity.

self-paced work; EEG; alpha waves; beta waves

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