Abstract
The stability of rhythmic interlimb coordination is governed by the coupling between limb movements. While it is amply documented how coordinative performance depends on movement frequency, theoretical considerations and recent empirical findings suggest that interlimb coupling (and hence coordinative stability) is actually mediated more by movement amplitude. Here, we present the results of a reanalysis of the data of Post, Peper, and Beek (2000), which were collected in an experiment aimed at teasing apart the effects of frequency and amplitude on coordinative stability of both steady-state and perturbed in-phase and antiphase interlimb coordination. The dataset in question was selected because we found indications that the according results were prone to artifacts, which may have obscured the potential effects of amplitude on the post-perturbation stability of interlimb coordination. We therefore redid the same analysis based on movement signals that were normalized each half-cycle for variations in oscillation center and movement frequency. With this refined analysis we found that (1) stability of both steady-state and perturbed coordination indeed seemed to depend more on amplitude than on movement frequency per se, and that (2) whereas steady-state antiphase coordination became less stable with increasing frequency for prescribed amplitudes, in-phase coordination became more stable at higher frequencies. Such effects may have been obscured in previous studies due to (1) unnoticed changes in performed amplitudes, and/or (2) artifacts related to inappropriate data normalization. The results of the present reanalysis therefore give cause for reconsidering the relation between the frequency, amplitude, and stability of interlimb coordination.
Highlights
When one moves multiple limbs simultaneously, the limb movements are not independent but influence each other
Stable interlimb coordination occurs by virtue of the coupling between the components involved: When there is no interaction between limb movements there can be no attraction towards synchronized/coordinated patterns (e.g., [2,3])
As already reported in Post et al [21], participants on average closely adhered to the prescribed amplitudes, while for the free amplitude correction for multiple comparisons
Summary
When one moves multiple limbs simultaneously, the limb movements are not independent but influence each other. Stable interlimb coordination occurs by virtue of the coupling between the components involved: When there is no interaction between limb movements there can be no attraction towards synchronized/coordinated patterns (e.g., [2,3]). This is evidenced by the existence of certain stable and preferred modes of interlimb coordination in animals and humans [1,4]. A seminal finding in this regard is the well-known observation that the stability of a coordination pattern may be lost when movement frequency is increased [5,6]. Such destabilizations may lead to a spontaneous switch in coordination
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
