Abstract
Introduction: Movement-based expertise relies on precise timing of movements and the capacity to predict the timing of events. Music performance involves discrete rhythmic actions that adhere to regular cycles of timed events, whereas many sports involve continuous movements that are not timed in a cyclical manner. It has been proposed that the precision of discrete movements relies on event timing (clock mechanism), whereas continuous movements are controlled by emergent timing. We examined whether movement-based expertise influences the timing mode adopted to maintain precise rhythmic actions.Materials and Method: Timing precision was evaluated in musicians, athletes and control participants. Discrete and continuous movements were assessed using finger-tapping and circle-drawing tasks, respectively, based on the synchronization-continuation paradigm. In Experiment 1, no auditory feedback was provided in the continuation phase of the trials, whereas in Experiment 2 every action triggered a feedback tone.Results: Analysis of precision in the continuation phase indicated that athletes performed significantly better than musicians and controls in the circle-drawing task, whereas musicians were more precise than controls in the finger tapping task. Interestingly, musicians were also more precise than controls in the circle-drawing task. Results also showed that the timing mode adopted was dependent on expertise and the presence of auditory feedback.Discussion: Results showed that movement-based expertise is associated with enhanced timing, but these effects depend on the nature of the training. Expertise was found to influence the timing strategy adopted to maintain precise rhythmic movements, suggesting that event and emergent timing mechanisms are not strictly tied to specific tasks, but can both be adopted to achieve precise timing.
Highlights
Movement-based expertise relies on precise timing of movements and the capacity to predict the timing of events
Whereas musicians are especially skilled at discrete rhythmic actions that adhere to regular cycles of timed events (Repp and Doggett, 2007; Baer et al, 2013; Albrecht et al, 2014), athletic sports often involve fluid and continuous movements that are not timed in a cyclical manner (Sternad et al, 2000; Jaitner et al, 2001; Jantzen et al, 2008; Balague et al, 2013)
Based on the hypothesis that musical performance involves predominantly discrete rhythmic actions that rely on event timing, and that athletic sports generally recruit fluid and continuous rhythmic movements based on emergent timing, we examined whether movement-based expertise is associated with specific or general timing skills
Summary
Movement-based expertise relies on precise timing of movements and the capacity to predict the timing of events. It has been proposed that the precision of discrete movements relies on event timing (clock mechanism), whereas continuous movements are controlled by emergent timing. We examined whether movement-based expertise influences the timing mode adopted to maintain precise rhythmic actions Experts such as musicians and athletes rely on precise timing of bodily movements. Whereas musicians are especially skilled at discrete rhythmic actions that adhere to regular cycles of timed events (meter and pulse) (Repp and Doggett, 2007; Baer et al, 2013; Albrecht et al, 2014), athletic sports often involve fluid and continuous movements that are not timed in a cyclical manner (Sternad et al, 2000; Jaitner et al, 2001; Jantzen et al, 2008; Balague et al, 2013). There is neurological (Ivry et al, 2002; Spencer et al, 2003, 2005) and neuroimaging (Schaal et al, 2004; Spencer et al, 2007) evidence that event and emergent timing processes recruit different brain areas
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