Effects of attention on phase transitions between bimanual coordination patterns: a behavioral and cost analysis in humans.

ABSTRACT

The present study aimed to obtain a behavioral analysis of the effects of attentional focus on the dynamics of phase transitions in bimanual coordination and to evaluate the central cost expended by the central nervous system to maintain and stabilize such coordination patterns before and after the transition. Eight subjects were asked to execute an anti-phase coordination pattern (180 degrees of relative phase), while gradually increasing the frequency of oscillation. The central cost was assessed using a dual-task paradigm associating the bimanual coordination task with a reaction time task. Results showed that (1) the transition process was significantly altered by focusing attention on the bimanual coordination task; and (2) the cost involved in sustaining the bimanual patterns was determined by their coordination dynamics.