Effects of Basic Metronomic Meters on Beat-Synchronized Walking

Background: This study was conducted to determine if a basic component of rhythm and music can elicit the human urge to move in time with the beat. Beat supports meter, meter supports rhythm, and rhythm is an indispensable element of music. Groove music – music that elicits the pleasurable urge to move – has one or more stimulating quality elements, and certain rhythms have been strongly associated with the groove phenomenon. In this study, a range of basic meter – meter without secondary accenting and therefore without rhythm – is created with, and along with metronome and examined for effect on synchronous walking speed. A comparison is made with quadruple meter groove music and a free walking silent condition at equivalent cadence. Methods: Employing a single–case full factorial design randomized with six replicates for each paired tempo–meter condition, participant synchronous walking speeds were examined at four metronome tempi (112, 116, 117, and 120 bpm) and seven basic meter time signatures of increasing beat homogeneity (2/4, 3/4, 4/4, 5/4, 7/4, 10/4, and [no meter] plus stimulating 4/4 music and a linear regression determined silent condition. Internal basic meter was created by repetitively whisper counting time signatures over conventional metronome beats. External basic meter was created with an accenting metronome at one tempo (116 bpm). With walking confirmed at 100% synchrony and the 2.044 mi lap distance a constant, average lap speeds for each paired condition were determined from lap times with high accuracy. Results: Over the range of increasing metronome time signatures from 2/4 to [no meter], a peak in walking speed was observed at 4/4 meter for even tempi and at 3/4 meter for the single odd tempo of 117 bpm with peak meters nearly as stimulating as the 4/4 music. The results for external and internal meter were quite similar, and as time signatures increased beyond the speed apex, vigor declined to the approximate level of [no meter] and the silent condition. The 2/4 time signature seemed an anomaly as it was without stimulating quality similar to [no meter]. Conclusions: 1) basic meters at or adjacent to the 4/4 time signature are quite stimulating, 2) stimulating basic meters are a potential underlying 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 beat homogeneity lack stimulation Potential Benefits: The findings of this study may have performance implications for walkers, runners, and perhaps others engaged in rhythmic physical activities. The findings may also contribute to a further understanding of the human auditory sensorimotor system and to possible intervention for human gait disorders.