Validity of Ergo graph as Measurer of Work Capacity 21 



when no further contractions were possible. Toward the end of 

 the experiment the left hand of M. and the right hand of B. 

 would actually reach the exhaustion point without visible or men- 

 tal signs of fatigue, and it seemed to avail nothing to put effort 

 into it. This we take to be the highest perfection in the coordi- 

 nation of the movement. A movement once learned and prac- 

 ticed for a time is probably never forgotten. The inurement and 

 habituation to it, together with the rhythmical performance and 

 endurance in it are soon lost. The bicycle rider is quite as able, 

 after giving up riding for several years, to make his wheel stand 

 as he was when he quit practice, but he lacks the inurement and 

 endurance to perform great feats. Again, the baseball pitcher 

 does not easily forget the movements required to throw the vari- 

 ous curves, although his arm may not hold out to pitch for a 

 single inning. With the ergograph the perfection of the coordi- 

 nation is shown in the height of the contraction which is made 

 and the regularity with which that height is attained at each 

 contraction. The left hand of M. and the right hand of B. dif- 

 fered remarkably from the others in this respect. The contrac- 

 tions were of uniform height until the exhaustion point was 

 closely approached, when it fell off rapidly, and effort seemed to 

 avail little in keeping up the movement. The other hands, the 

 right of M. and the left of B., showed a more gradual decline. 

 The average number of contractions for both hands of either 

 reagent appear in the second part of Table I. 



The numbers of contractions for both hands of each reagent 

 have increased steadily during the experimenting, the left hand 

 of B. more rapidly than the right, surpassing the right during 

 the third work period. The right hand of M. grew more rapidly 

 than the left, increasing the difference which was shown at the 

 beginning. In general it may be said that the height of con- 

 tractions has increased steadily throughout the entire experi- 

 ment, the exceptions being found in the right and left hands of 

 B. in the third work period. This is to be accounted for by an 

 injury to the right hand and an imperfect mask for the left. 



The processes of eliminating the accessory and superfluous 

 movements is one of the greatest psychological interest. The 



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