Multidimensional recurrence quantification analysis of human-metronome phasing

Perception-action coordination (also known as sensorimotor synchronization, SMS) is often studied by analyzing motor coordination with auditory rhythms. The current study assesses phasing—a compositional technique in which two people tap the same rhythm at varying phases by adjusting tempi—to explore how SMS is impacted by individual and situational factors. After practice trials, participants engaged in the experimental phasing task with a metronome at tempi ranging from 80–140 beats per minute (bpm). Multidimensional recurrence quantification analysis (MdRQA) was used to compare nonlinear dynamics of phasing performance. Varying coupling patterns emerged and were significantly predicted by tempo and linguistic experience. Participants who successfully phased replicated findings from an original case study, demonstrating stable tapping patterns near in-phase and antiphase, while those unsuccessful at phasing showed weaker attraction to in-phase and antiphase.