Bimanual circle drawing during secondary task loading.

J J Summers; W D Byblow; D F Bysouth-Young; A Semjen

doi:10.1123/mcj.2.2.106

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Bimanual circle drawing during secondary task loading.

J J Summers·W D Byblow·D F Bysouth-Young·A Semjen

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Abstract

Seven right-handed participants performed bimanual circling movements in either a symmetrical or an asymmetrical coordination mode. Movements were paced with an auditory metronome at predetermined frequencies corresponding to transition frequency, where asymmetrical patterns became unstable, or at two-thirds transition frequency where both symmetrical and asymmetrical patterns were stable. The pacing tones were presented in either a high (1000 Hz) or low (500 Hz) pitch, and the percentage of high-pitched tones during a 20 s trial varied between 0% and 70%. Participants were instructed to count the number of high-pitched pacing tones that occurred during a trial of bimanual circling. Overall, the symmetrical pattern was more stable than the asymmetrical pattern at both frequencies. Errors on the tone-counting task were significantly higher during asymmetrical circling than symmetrical circling but only at the transition movement frequency. The results suggest that cognitive processes play a role in maintaining coordination patterns within regions of instability.

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J J Summers, W D Byblow, D F Bysouth-Young, A Semjen. 1998. Bimanual circle drawing during secondary task loading.. https://doi.org/10.1123/mcj.2.2.106

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