Search research articles

ABOUT JoVE

Overview Leadership Blog JoVE Help Center

AUTHORS

Publishing Process Editorial Board Scope & Policies Peer Review FAQ Submit

LIBRARIANS

Testimonials Subscriptions Access Resources Library Advisory Board FAQ

RESEARCH

JoVE Journal Methods Collections JoVE Encyclopedia of Experiments Archive

EDUCATION

JoVE Core JoVE Business JoVE Science Education JoVE Lab Manual Faculty Resource Center Faculty Site

Terms & Conditions of Use

Related Concept Videos

Interference: Path Lengths

Interference: Path Lengths

Consider two sources of sound, that may or may not be in phase, emitting waves at a single frequency, and consider the frequencies to be the same.
Two special sources may be considered when they are in phase. This can be easily achieved by feeding the two sources from the same source. An example would be synchronizing the two speakers by feeding them with the same source, such as the sound waves produced by a tuning fork. This setup ensures that the two sources have the same frequency and are...

Introduction to Joints

Introduction to Joints

The adult human body usually has 206 bones, and except for the hyoid bone in the neck, each bone is connected to at least one other bone. Joints are the location where bones come together. Many joints allow for movement between the bones. At these joints, the articulating surfaces of the adjacent bones can move smoothly against each other. However, the bones of other joints may be joined by connective tissue or cartilage. These joints are designed for stability and provide little or no movement.

Relative Velocity in One Dimension

Relative Velocity in One Dimension

The understanding of the concept of reference frames is essential to discuss relative motion in one or more dimensions. When we say that an object has a certain velocity, we must state the velocity with respect to a given reference frame. In most examples, this reference frame has been Earth. For instance, if a statement reads that a person is sitting in a train moving at 10 m/s east, then it implies that the person on the train is moving relative to the surface of Earth at this velocity,...

Relative Motion Analysis - Acceleration

Relative Motion Analysis - Acceleration

A slider-crank mechanism converts rotational motion from the crank into linear motion of the slider or vice versa. This mechanism consists of three main parts: the crank, the connecting rod, and the slider. The movement of the slider-crank is an example of general plane motion as the fluctuating angle between the crank and the connecting rod. Consider a segment AB where point A is at the end of the slider and point B is on the diametrically opposite end to point A, on a crack. The variance in...

Relationship Formation

Relationship Formation

What do you think is the single most influential factor in determining with whom you become friends and whom you form romantic relationships? You might be surprised to learn that the answer is simple: the people with whom you have the most contact. This most important factor is proximity. You are more likely to be friends with people you have regular contact with. For example, there are decades of research that shows that you are more likely to become friends with people who live in your dorm,...

Nonconscious Mimicry

Nonconscious Mimicry

Nonconscious mimicry occurs when individuals alter their mannerisms to match the behaviors and expressions of those nearby, without intention.

You might also read

Related Articles

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

Sort by

Same author

Energetics and mechanics of kicking with lifeguarding fins.

Frontiers in sports and active living·2026

Same author

Cardiorespiratory fitness, genetic susceptibility, and the risk of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease: findings from observational and two-sample bidirectional Mendelian randomisation analyses.

BMC medicine·2026

Same author

The Impact of Cold-Water Immersion on Great Toe Flexor Strength and Postural Control.

Motor control·2025

Same author

Physical Fitness, Biological Aging, and Healthy Longevity.

Journal of the American Medical Directors Association·2025

Same author

Genome Announcement of Four Parechovirus A3 Isolates from the United States of America.

International journal of molecular sciences·2025

Same author

Physical determinants of daily physical activity in older men and women.

PloS one·2025

Search research articles

Related Experiment Video

Updated: May 29, 2026

Using a Split-belt Treadmill to Evaluate Generalization of Human Locomotor Adaptation

Using a Split-belt Treadmill to Evaluate Generalization of Human Locomotor Adaptation

Published on: August 23, 2017

Stride interval dynamics are altered when two individuals walk side by side.

Jeff A Nessler¹, Tomas Gonzales, Eric Rhoden

¹Dept. of Kinesiology, California State University, San Marcos, CA, USA.

|September 1, 2011

Summary

Synchronizing steps with another person, even intentionally, changes walking dynamics. However, simply walking side-by-side without conscious effort does not significantly alter stride intervals.

More Related Videos

Simulation of Human-induced Vibrations Based on the Characterized In-field Pedestrian Behavior

Simulation of Human-induced Vibrations Based on the Characterized In-field Pedestrian Behavior

Published on: April 13, 2016

Asymmetric Walkway: A Novel Behavioral Assay for Studying Asymmetric Locomotion

Asymmetric Walkway: A Novel Behavioral Assay for Studying Asymmetric Locomotion

Published on: January 15, 2016

Related Experiment Videos

Last Updated: May 29, 2026

Using a Split-belt Treadmill to Evaluate Generalization of Human Locomotor Adaptation

Using a Split-belt Treadmill to Evaluate Generalization of Human Locomotor Adaptation

Published on: August 23, 2017

Simulation of Human-induced Vibrations Based on the Characterized In-field Pedestrian Behavior

Simulation of Human-induced Vibrations Based on the Characterized In-field Pedestrian Behavior

Published on: April 13, 2016

Asymmetric Walkway: A Novel Behavioral Assay for Studying Asymmetric Locomotion

Asymmetric Walkway: A Novel Behavioral Assay for Studying Asymmetric Locomotion

Published on: January 15, 2016

Area of Science:

Biomechanics
Human locomotion
Neuroscience

Background:

Interpersonal synchronization is a common phenomenon in human movement.
Understanding how synchronization affects gait dynamics is crucial for various applications, including rehabilitation and sports performance.
Previous research has explored synchronization in different contexts, but its specific impact on stride interval dynamics requires further investigation.

Purpose of the Study:

To investigate the effects of interpersonal stepping synchronization on stride interval dynamics during over-ground walking.
To differentiate the impact of intentional synchronization from passive side-by-side walking.

Main Methods:

Twenty-seven participants walked under three conditions: independent (SOLO), alongside a partner (PAIRED), and with intentional synchronization (FORCED).
A subset also synchronized stepping to a metronome (MET).
Stride interval dynamics were analyzed using power spectral density and detrended fluctuation analysis on footswitch data.

Main Results:

The rate of autocorrelation decay in stride time was similar for SOLO and PAIRED conditions.
Autocorrelation decay was significantly reduced in FORCED and MET conditions (p=0.03 & 0.002).
Stride time variability significantly increased in FORCED and MET conditions (p<0.001).

Conclusions:

Forced synchronization of stepping alters stride interval dynamics, suggesting increased active central nervous system (CNS) control.
Passive side-by-side walking, where synchronization is subconscious, does not significantly alter stepping dynamics in the same way.
These findings highlight the distinct neural control mechanisms underlying intentional versus subconscious interpersonal movement synchronization.