title: Pattern formation in polyrhythmic tapping at a self-paced tempo.
abstract: The present study examined the pattern formation in complex bimanual coordination at a self-paced tempo. 10 subjects performed two motor tasks in a self-paced situation, a single-rhythmic tapping with the preferred hand and a 3:2 polyrhythmic tapping with the right hand taking the faster beat. To clarify the process of polyrhythmic pattern formation, the transition routes of frequency ratios were analyzed. Analysis showed that a 3:2 pattern was formed by transition repeatedly shifting among 1:1, 2:1, and 3:1 patterns. Consequently, transitions were induced from a simple dissipative structure to a more complex dissipative structure. This process could be represented as a shift from lower- to higher-order ratios in the Farey tree. Furthermore, close relationships were indicated between personal tempo in the polyrhythmic tapping with the faster hand and in the single-rhythmic tapping.
authors.affiliation: Graduate School of Biosphere Sciences, Hiroshima University, Japan. mtajima@ipc.hiroshima-u.ac.jp
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Tajima
authors.forename: K
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Choshi
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D001696:Biomechanical Phenomena; D005260:Female; D007839:Functional Laterality / Q000502:physiology*; D006225:Hand / Q000502:physiology*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009048:Motor Skills / Q000502:physiology*; D010507:Periodicity