Using Fitts’ Law to Detect Intentional Misrepresentation Journal of Motor Behaviour

In Paralympic Classification, tests of impaired coordination (e.g. reciprocal tapping tasks) are effort-dependent and therefore susceptible to Intentional Misrepresentation of Abilities (IM) deliberate exaggeration of impairment severity. The authors investigated whether reciprocal tapping tasks performed sub-maximally could be differentiated from tapping tasks performed with maximal voluntary effort (MVE), based on conformity with Fitts’ law. 10 non-disabled participants performed 14 tapping tasks with their dominant hand on three separate occasions. 7 tasks were performed with MVE and the other 7 at speeds that were at least 20% slower. Results revealed that evaluating conformity with Fitts’ law is a potentially valid method for objectively detecting IM during reciprocal tapping. Evaluation of sensitivity and specificity of the method is now warranted.