Effects of learning and movement frequency on polyrhythmic tapping performance

This study examined the effect of learning a complex bimanual coordination task at different movement frequencies. 30 subjects performed 5:3 polyrhyth mic tapping at either high, medium, or low movement frequency on a rhythmic synchronization task and then reproduced the polyrhythmic pattern repeated ly in the spontaneous task. Analysis showed that practice on the synchroniz ation task qualitatively changed correct responses into anticipatory ones. The synchronization learning of the polyrhythm caused the anticipatory resp onses and so, may involve memorization of serial positions within the polyr hythm. Also, more anticipatory responses mere indicated in performance at t he medium and low frequencies than at the high frequency on the synchroniza tion task. In addition, deviations of taps from expected tapping positions were observed in performance of the spontaneous task at the high frequency. These results suggest that the movement frequency qualitatively influenced the learning of this bimanual coordination. Especially at the high frequen cy, frequent shifts to other coordination patterns occurred on the spontane ous task. This means that the performance at higher frequency is more stron gly affected by entrainment between the two hands.