Variability of performance in an anticipatory timing task with individuals of different ages

The purpose of this study was to investigate the age effect on the performance of an anticipatory timing task, specially if there was an increase of response variability with age advance. Six experimental groups were formed (n = 20) with participants between 20 and 79 years of age (G20, G30, G40, G50, G60 e G70). Performance was measured in six trials on the experimental anticipatory timing task (Bassin Anticipator Timer). The data were analyzed in terms of absolute error, constant error and variable error, and the MANOVA showed significant effects for all measures. However, the post hoc identified differences only in the absolute and constant errors, between G70 and G20, G30, G40, and G50. Although the post hoc did not find significant differences for variable error, this could probably be associated to the high levels of dispersion values in G70. The results showed a significant performance decrease in the seventh decade. In addition, the behavior pattern showed by individuals in the 70-79 age bracked, emphasizes the need to consider individual differences, particularly when elderly people are concerned