Rowing together: Interpersonal coordination dynamics with and without mechanical coupling

• Published in: Human movement science 2019-04, Vol.64, p.38-46
• Main Authors: Cuijpers, Laura S., Den Hartigh, Ruud J.R., Zaal, Frank T.J.M., de Poel, Harjo J.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Group dynamics; Joint action; Perceptual coupling; Physical interaction; Social coordination
• ISSN: 0167-9457; 1872-7646
• DOI: 10.1016/j.humov.2018.12.008

•The effect of mechanical coupling in a crew rowing task was examined from a coupled oscillator perspective.•Pairs of rowers (n = 16) rowed in in- and antiphase coordination at 20 and 30 strokes per minute.•Pairs rowed on ergometers that were connected through slides (mechanical coupling) or moved separately (no mechanical coupling).•Breakdowns occurred only for antiphase, irrespective of coupling condition or movement frequency.•Steady state interpersonal coordination was more variable without mechanical coupling.•Mechanical coupling stabilized coordination, even more so for antiphase crew coordination. Although most research on interpersonal coordination focuses on perceptual forms of interaction, many interpersonal actions also involve interactions of mechanical nature. We examined the effect of mechanical coupling in a rowing task from a coupled oscillator perspective: 16 pairs of rowers rowed on ergometers that were physically connected through slides (mechanical coupling condition) or on separate ergometers (no mechanical coupling condition). They rowed in two patterns (in- and antiphase) and at two movement frequencies (20 and 30 strokes per minute). Seven out of sixteen pairs showed one or more coordinative breakdowns, which only occurred in the antiphase condition. The occurrence of these breakdowns was not affected by mechanical coupling, nor by movement frequency. For the other nine pairs, variability of steady state coordination was substantially lower in the mechanical coupling condition. Together, these results show that the increase in coupling strength through mechanical coupling stabilizes coordination, even more so for antiphase coordination.