title: Bimanual coordination and the intermittency of visual information in isometric force tracking.
abstract: The effect of the intermittency of visual information in the bimanual coordination of an isometric force coordination task was investigated as a function of criterion force level. Eight levels of visual information intermittency (.2-25.6 Hz) were used in blocked fashion at each force level. Participants were required to produce a constant force output matching as accurately as possible the criterion force target. The results showed that performance improved as the intermittency of visual information was reduced-this effect being a function of force level. The distribution of the relative phase through the trial revealed a preference for the two hands to be coupled together (in-phase) at the slower rates of visual presentation (~.2 Hz). However, as the rate of visual feedback was increased (up to ~25.6 Hz), there was a transition to predominantly a negative correlation pattern (anti-phase). The pattern of bimanual coordination in this isometric tracking task is driven by the availability of information for error correction and the interactive influence of perceptual-motor constraints.
authors.affiliation: Department of Kinesiology, 339 Ramsey Student Center, University of Georgia, Athens, GA, 30605, USA. ccl39538@uga.edu.
authors.forename: Charley W
authors.initials: CW
authors.lastname: Lafe
authors.affiliation: Department of Kinesiology, 339 Ramsey Student Center, University of Georgia, Athens, GA, 30605, USA.
authors.forename: Matheus M
authors.initials: MM
authors.lastname: Pacheco
authors.affiliation: Department of Kinesiology, 339 Ramsey Student Center, University of Georgia, Athens, GA, 30605, USA.
authors.forename: Karl M
authors.initials: KM
authors.lastname: Newell
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D056228:Feedback, Sensory / Q000502:physiology*; D005260:Female; D006225:Hand / Q000502:physiology*; D006801:Humans; D007537:Isometric Contraction / Q000502:physiology*; D008297:Male; D009043:Motor Activity / Q000502:physiology*; D011597:Psychomotor Performance / Q000502:physiology*; D014796:Visual Perception / Q000502:physiology*; D055815:Young Adult
keywords: Bimanual coordination; Isometric force; Visual information intermittency