The Effect of Task-Load Transitions on Team Postural Dynamics

Abstract

This study examined order effects of task-load (TL) transitions on team task performance and interpersonal postural coordination. Twenty-three dyads played a cooperative video game (Air Force Spaceship Simulator-AFSS) under two task-load order conditions (high-low-high; low-high-low). Performance was affected by task-load, with dyads performing more efficiently under low task-load. For interpersonal postural coordination, we found an interaction between task-load and order of presentation. Specifically, pairs that transitioned from high-to-low TL exhibited less stable coordination in the high TL condition than pairs transitioning from low-to-high, indicating that measures of postural coordination may provide insight into team dynamics that is not captured by assessing team performance alone. We also confirmed that the postural coordination we observed was indeed driven by inherent demands of the team task, and was additionally indicative of individual team coordination patterns. This latter finding is potentially indicative of individual differences in team strategy.