STUDIES ON THE FUNCTION OF CONCENTRATION MAINTENANCE (TAF). DISCUSSION ON THREE-MINUTE METHOD OF THE TAF-TEST

Abstract

The function of concentration maintenance (TAF), the concept of which was presented by Takakuwa in 1960, is originally described as TAF-L and TAF-D computed from the standardized curve in three-minute method of the TAF test. A number of studies on TAF showed that the changes of TAF-L and TAF-D were corresponding to the degree of fatigue resulting from work, especially characterized by mental stress. Another experiment demonstrated the close correlation existing between TAF and the autonomic nervous balance. However, the central nervous functions are very complicated and multifactorial, so that the observations have been advanced as to what the TAF-L and TAF-D in three-minute method are indicated.The present studies were devided into three series. The first one consists of original three-minute method, then rest for five minutes and aiming for five minutes, then rest for one minute and aiming for three minutes. For the second, aiming for three minutes and rest for thirty seconds are repeated six times, and continuous aiming for eighteen minutes is given on the other day. The third one is the measurement of galvanic skin reflex in parallel with the original three-minute method. The results of these observations suggested the following points:1) TAF-L in three-minute method indicates the process of the body to be brought into the status of concentration maintenance.2) There are large individually characteristic differences in the processes to the status of concentration maintenance, some one quick and some other slow.3) The duration of concentration maintenance, which is the total duration of aiming level better than 2.5 in standardized curve, is significantly correlated with the value of L in continuous aiming.