The Activity-Set Hypothesis For Warm-Up Decrement in a Movement-Speed Task

The activity-set hypothesis that warm-up decrement (WUD) is caused by loss over rest of a generalized readiness to respond was tested using a right-hand movement-time task. 34 university males practiced 20 trials of the right-hand task, and then had a 10-min. no-practice period during which they either rested (Condition REST) or rested plus practiced a left-hand movement-time task, (Condition ACT). When Ss were transferred to the right-hand task, Condition REST produced large WUD which was quickly eliminated, whereas Condition ACT produced no WUD. This supported the hypothesis that the left-hand task reinstated the activity set for movement speed, and that WUD is the loss of a generalized non-habit readiness to respond. Implications for rival hypotheses for WUD were discussed.