When two hands are better than one: reduced timing variability during bimanual movements

Within-hand variability was reduced on a repetitive tapping task when individuals tapped with 2 hands in comparison to single-handed tapping. When the total variability was decomposed into central timing and peripheral implementation components (A.M. Wing & A.B. Kristofferson, 1973), the bimanual advantage was attributed to decreased central variability. The improved consistency does not require that the movements involve homologous muscles. However, unlike phase coupling, the bimanual advantage is not found when the 2 movements are produced by different individuals, but rather requires that the 2 movements be produced by 1 individual. It is proposed that separate timing mechanisms are associated with each effector. During bimanual movements, the outputs from these timing mechanisms are integrated prior to movement execution, and it is this integration that results in the bimanual advantage.