Abstract
Numerous studies have indicated a decline in the ability of older adults to detect impending collisions. In addition, previous research has demonstrated that collision detection performance of college-aged subjects can be improved with perceptual learning. Thus the present study examined whether perceptual learning training can improve performance in collision detection in older subjects. Eight older subjects participated in the experiment, which was conducted over seven days with each day consisting of a 1-hr session. Collision detection thresholds for three observer speeds were measured prior to training using a two-alternative forced choice procedure during which participants indicated whether an approaching object would result in a collision or non-collision event. Participants were then trained near threshold at one of these speeds for 5 days. After training participants' thresholds were measured again. Results indicate a significant reduction in the time needed to detect a collision at the trained speed, F(1,7)= 14.115, p=.007. The interaction of day and speed was not significant, F(2,14)=2.22, p>.05. However, planned comparisons showed a reduction in the time needed to detect a collision at slower observer speed conditions, t(7) = 2.798, p< .05, and t(7)= 4.279, p< .05. Results in the higher observer speed condition were not significant, t(7)=2.22, p=.559. Results demonstrate that collision detection performance for older subjects can be improved with perceptual learning and may transfer to untrained observer speeds.
Meeting abstract presented at VSS 2016