Jove
Visualize
Contact Us
JoVE
x logofacebook logolinkedin logoyoutube logo
ABOUT JoVE
OverviewLeadershipBlogJoVE Help Center
AUTHORS
Publishing ProcessEditorial BoardScope & PoliciesPeer ReviewFAQSubmit
LIBRARIANS
TestimonialsSubscriptionsAccessResourcesLibrary Advisory BoardFAQ
RESEARCH
JoVE JournalMethods CollectionsJoVE Encyclopedia of ExperimentsArchive
EDUCATION
JoVE CoreJoVE BusinessJoVE Science EducationJoVE Lab ManualFaculty Resource CenterFaculty Site
Terms & Conditions of Use
Privacy Policy
Policies

Related Experiment Videos

Unilateral reaction time task is delayed during contralateral movements.

Maaike Begeman1, Hatice Kumru, Klaus Leenders

  • 1Unitat d'EMG, Servei de Neurologia, Hospital Clinic, Facultad de Medicina, Institut d'Investigació Biomèdica August Pi i Sunyer, Universitat de Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain.

Experimental Brain Research
|April 20, 2007
PubMed
Summary

Performing a new task with one hand while moving the other slows reaction time, according to dual task interference theory. This study investigated how simultaneous movements affect simple reaction time (SRT) and found significant delays.

Related Concept Videos

You might also read

Related Articles

Articles linked to this work by shared authors, journal, and citation graph.

Sort by
Same author

Changes in Motor, Functional Independence, and Gait Recovery After Incomplete Spinal Cord Injury with Transcutaneous Spinal Cord Stimulation: A Randomized Controlled Trial with a Partial Crossover Design.

Biomedicines·2026
Same author

Mesenchymal Stromal/Stem Cells in Chronic Incomplete Traumatic Spinal Cord Injury: A Phase I/II Double-Blind Placebo-Controlled Multicentre Trial.

Biomedicines·2026
Same author

Early Screening of Sleep-Disordered Breathing Using a Smartphone-Based Portable System in Stroke Patients and Its Relevance for Rehabilitation: A Prospective Observational Study.

Sensors (Basel, Switzerland)·2026
Same author

Gravity-induced inhibition of the H-reflex and the modulatory potential of the bone myoregulation reflex.

Life sciences in space research·2026
Same author

Evaluation of Sleep Apnea in Stroke Patients Using a Portable Smartphone-Based System.

IEEE transactions on neural systems and rehabilitation engineering : a publication of the IEEE Engineering in Medicine and Biology Society·2025
Same author

Associations Between Post-traumatic Seizures, Antiseizure Medication, and Duration of Post-traumatic Amnesia: A Retrospective Cohort Analysis.

Archives of physical medicine and rehabilitation·2025

Area of Science:

  • Neuroscience
  • Motor Control
  • Human Physiology

Background:

  • Dual task interference theory posits that performing concurrent tasks impairs performance on at least one task.
  • Simple reaction time (SRT) measures the time taken to respond to a stimulus, often influenced by motor preparation.
  • Contralateral limb movements can potentially interfere with unimanual task execution.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the effect of contralateral rhythmic oscillatory movements on unimanual simple reaction time (SRT).
  • To examine the influence of dual task interference on motor preparation and reaction time.
  • To explore the physiological mechanisms underlying interlimb coordination during concurrent tasks.

Main Methods:

  • Eight healthy volunteers performed unilateral SRT tasks under baseline and dual-task conditions (contralateral rhythmic movements).

Related Experiment Videos

  • A startling auditory stimulus (SAS) was introduced to probe motor system activation and preparation.
  • Reaction times were compared between control and test trials, with and without SAS.

    • Main Results:

    • SRT was significantly delayed during the dual-task condition compared to control trials, regardless of SAS presence.
    • SAS significantly shortened SRT in both control and dual-task conditions.
    • The relative magnitude of SRT delay and SAS-induced shortening remained consistent across conditions, suggesting motor preparation changes.

    Conclusions:

    • Concurrent rhythmic movements of one limb significantly impair contralateral simple reaction time.
    • The observed dual task interference is likely mediated by alterations in motor preparation processes.
    • Findings contribute to understanding interlimb coordination and the mechanisms of dual task interference.