Time-series pattern changes related to movement rate in synchronized human tapping.
We investigated the effect of movement rate on the time-series properties of human synchronization errors by applying power spectrum analysis and detrended fluctuation analysis (DFA). Participants were required to execute a finger-tapping task with their right index finger in synchrony with periodic sounds under seven conditions of movement rates ranging from 1 to 4 Hz and separated by 0.5 Hz. At slow movement rates (1 and 1.5 Hz), the power spectrum of the synchronization errors flattened in the low-frequency portion, resulting in short-range correlation. At fast movement rates (from 2 to 4 Hz), on the other hand, the time series of the timing errors exhibited a 1/fbeta-type long-range correlation. These results indicate that the movement rate has an effect on the temporal coordination pattern in the human timing control mechanism. We inferred that this change in the coordination pattern reflects the transition between different states in human synchronization movements with an external signal.
Laboratory of Sports Sciences, Department of Life Sciences, Graduate School of Arts and Sciences, The University of Tokyo, 3-8-1 Komaba, Meguro, Tokyo 153-8902, Japan. hiroshi.kadota@ma4.seikyou.ne.jp
Hiroshi
H
Kadota
Kazutoshi
K
Kudo
Tatsuyuki
T
Ohtsuki
D000328:Adult; D005260:Female; D005385:Fingers / Q000502:physiology; D007839:Functional Laterality; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009048:Motor Skills; D009068:Movement / Q000502:physiology*; D010507:Periodicity; D013057:Spectrum Analysis / Q000379:methods; D013998:Time Perception / Q000502:physiology*