Age-Related Performance Assessment in Steering Tasks by Different Instruction Sets

In this paper, we investigate the effects of aging (younger vs. older adults) on performance difference by the way that speed is tradeoff against accuracy in interacting with interface task. In order to assess the impact of a possible speed-accuracy tradeoff, user performance was observed under three different instructional sets i.e., accuracy (A), neutral (N), and speed (S) when steering on a circular track. Experimental results showed that the elderly group performed significantly less accurately for all three instruction sets and showed greater individual difference. The younger subjects were more influenced by instructions and performed more accurately. Implications for user interface design for older users, and for the evaluation of age effects in HCI generally are discussed.