Spatial conceptual influences on the coordination of bimanual actions: when a dual task becomes a single task.
When the left and right hands produce 2 different rhythms simultaneously, coordination of the hands is difficult unless the rhythms can be integrated into a unified temporal pattern. In the present study, the authors investigated whether a similar account can be applied to the spatial domain. Participants (N = 8) produced a movement trajectory of semicircular form in single-limb and bimanual conditions. In the bimanual tasks, 1 limb moved above the other in the frontal plane. Bimanual unified tasks were constructed so that the spatial paths to be produced by the 2 limbs could be easily conceptualized as parts of a unified circle pattern. Bimanual distinct tasks availed a less obvious spatial pattern that would unify the 2 tasks, despite similar demands placed on the coordination dynamics in the 2 cases (e.g., the phase relations). The authors conclude that a dual task becomes a single task, and interlimb interference is reduced, when the spatial patterns produced by the 2 hands form a geometric arrangement that can be conceptualized as a unified representation.
Department of Psychology, Box 56, University of Otago, Dunedin, New Zealand. lfranz@psy.otago.ac.nz
E A
EA
Franz
H N
HN
Zelaznik
S S
SS
Swinnen
C
C
Walter
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D001696:Biomechanical Phenomena; D005260:Female; D006225:Hand / Q000502:physiology*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009068:Movement / Q000502:physiology*; D010507:Periodicity; D013028:Space Perception / Q000502:physiology*