An optimization model for self-paced tracking on circular courses

An earlier paper by the authors (see ibid., vol.SMC-17, no.3, p.455-64, May/Jun. 1987) described an optimization model of self-paced tracking that could mimic human performance on linear courses. In the present paper, it has been extended to cover circular courses. The literature shows that as the curvature of the track increases (smaller radius) so the performance decreases. The model was able to predict this effect, both from the literature and from an experiment performed using six subjects. The absolute magnitudes of the speeds and error rates were predicted accurately by the model, as were the effects of track width. However, the model predictions underestimated the size of the radius effect somewhat, probably due to the specific biomechanics of the experimental equipment