Abstract

Finger-tapping tasks are classically used to investigate sensorimotor synchronization in relation to neutral auditory cues, such as metronomes. However, music is more commonly associated with an entrained bodily response, such as toe tapping, or dancing. Here we report an experimental procedure that was designed to bridge the gap between timing and intervention studies by directly comparing the effects of metronome and musical cue types on motor timing abilities across the three naturalistic voluntary actions of finger tapping, toe tapping, and stepping on the spot as a simplified case of whole body movement. Both pacing cues were presented at slow, medium, and fast tempi. The findings suggested that the task of stepping on the spot enabled better timing performances than tapping both in younger and older adults (75+). Timing performances followed an inverse U shape with best performances observed in the medium tempi that were set close to the spontaneous motor tempo in each movement type. Finally, music provided an entrainment effect in addition to pace setting that enabled better motor timing and greater stability than classically reported using a metronome. By applying time-stamp analyses to kinetic data, we demonstrate that tapping and stepping engage different timing modes. This work details the importance of translational research for a better understanding of motor timing. It offers a simple procedure that strengthens the validity of applying academic work and contributes in knowledge towards a wide range of therapeutic interventions.

Highlights

  • Finger-tapping tasks are classically used to investigate sensorimotor synchronization in relation to neutral auditory cues, such as metronomes

  • The method reported in this paper aims to bridge the gap between classic timing studies and applied research paradigms by comparing finger tapping to stationary body movements such as toe tapping and stepping on the spot

  • We describe what is known about sensorimotor synchronization from studies using finger-tapping paradigms before presenting the outstanding questions that need to be answered for transfer validity to sensorimotor timing tasks using whole-body movements

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Summary

Introduction

Finger-tapping tasks are classically used to investigate sensorimotor synchronization in relation to neutral auditory cues, such as metronomes. We report an experimental procedure that was designed to bridge the gap between timing and intervention studies by directly comparing the effects of metronome and musical cue types on motor timing abilities across the three naturalistic voluntary actions of finger tapping, toe tapping, and stepping on the spot as a simplified case of whole body movement. The method reported in this paper aims to bridge the gap between classic timing studies and applied research paradigms by comparing finger tapping to stationary body movements such as toe tapping and stepping on the spot Such translational research can help clarify the role of different motor-timing modes for optimal performances of timed voluntary movements. Voluntary-motor actions are planned, and motor commands are delivered to effectors at the appropriate moment—so that the sensory consequences of voluntary motor actions are synchronized with the perceived external ­event[12]

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