Visuomotor Coupling during Two-Handed Tasks: An Investigation of Bimanual and Intermanual Coordination

Abstract

This study investigated previously observed differences in speed when completing a two-handed task using either the bimanual coordination mode (i.e., an individual completing a two-handed task) or the intermanual coordination mode (i.e., two people completing a two-handed task). When comparing these coordination modes, various research domains have reported an intermanual “mode effect” of speed. Research suggests that the difference in performance may depend on fundamental characteristics of each coordination mode that facilitate or impede speed during two-handed tasks. To further investigate this intermanual speed advantage, a task was constructed to exploit a hypothesized bimanual limitation that may underlie this mode effect: bimanual visuomotor coupling. Results replicated the intermanual speed advantage and showed a higher degree of visuomotor coupling during bimanual performance. Subsequent analyses suggest that speed during two-handed tasks may be a function of visuomotor coupling, regardless of coordination mode.