Effects of Basic Metronomic Meters on Beat-Synchronized Walking

Abstract

Background: Beat supports meter, meter is a fundamental component of rhythm, and rhythm is an indispensable element of music. Music that elicits a pleasurable and almost irresistible urge to move is said to have groove. Groove music has one or more stimulating qualities, and certain rhythms have been strongly associated with the phenomenon. In this study, basic meter, meter without secondary accenting, is examined as a possible underlying component of groove. With sound intensity of auditory stimuli controlled, basic meter is created with and along with metronome and examined for effect on synchronous walking vigor with comparison to quadruple meter groove music and a free walking silent condition at equivalent cadence.Methods: Employing a singlecase full factorial design randomized with six replicates for each paired tempometer condition, participant synchronous walking speeds were examined at four metronome tempos (112, 116, 117, and 120 BPM) and seven basic meter time signatures of increasing monotonia (2/4, 3/4, 4/4, 5/4, 7/4, 10/4, and ~4600/4 [no meter] plus stimulating 4/4 music and a regression determined silent condition. Internal basic meter was created by repetitively whisper counting time signatures, one per lap, over conventional metronome beats. Basic external meter was created at one tempo (116 BPM) with an accenting metronome. With walking confirmed at 100% synchrony and lap distance a constant, lap speeds for each paired condition were determined from lap times with high precision. Results: Over the range of increasing metronome time signatures from 2/4 to [no meter], a peak in vigor at 4/4 meter was observed for even tempos and for 3/4 at the odd tempo with both statistically similar to the stimulating 4/4 music. The results for external and internal meter were similar, and as time signature increased beyond the apex for speed, vigor declined to the approximate level of [no meter] and the silent condition. The 2/4 time signature seemed an anomaly also with vigor similar to [no meter] and the silent condition.Some Tentative Conclusions: 1) some basic meters at or near the 4/4 time signature are quite stimulating, 2) stimulating basic meter is a potential element of groove, 3) the stimulating quality of quadruple meter supports a human preference for a four beat meter, and 4) basic meters with high monotonia lack stimulation Potential Benefits: The findings of this study may have performance implications for walkers, runners and in some other rhythmic physical activities. The findings may also contribute to a further understanding of the human auditory sensorimotor system and to possible intervention in human gait disorders.

Stimulation Effects of Some Acoustical Musical Attributes on Beat-Synchronized Walking

“…In some walking studies, a significant positive effect of music sound intensity on walking step length and/or speed have been reported (Leman et al, 2013;Metcalfe, 2015Metcalfe, , 2016Shay, 2022b), and this effect has also been observed for the isochronous-equitone beat of a metronome (Shay, 2022b). There is speculation that the finding with metronome may have been due to the creation of simple music via subliminal subjective accenting (Shay, 2023).…”

“…At the metrical level, some simple meters have been investigated for stimulation effect during synchronous walking. Where basic meter was defined as primary accented meter created with an accenting metronome, Shay (2023) reported that some basic meters (particularly with a 4/4 time signature) were more stimulating than other meters. As the metronomic stimulation was not particularly pleasurable, it would be a stretch to characterize the auditory stimulus as groovy.…”

“…The same participant who conducted trials in the prior companion studies of Shay (2021Shay ( , 2022aShay ( , 2022bShay ( , 2023) conducted all walking trials in the current study -male, age 76, weight 180, good health, and a recreational fitness walker. As established previously, the participant had a high degree of beat perception and beat synchronization which was at a confirmed 100% synchronization level in the current study (see Methods/Synchronization) and in the concurrent study, (Shay, 2022b).…”