The purpose of this study was to examine the effectiveness of the Yamaha Junior Music Programme in developing pitch discrimination and rhythm performance skills in five- and six-year old children over a six month period. Specifically, it aimed to measure improvements in the ability to distinguish between high and low-pitched tones, the ability to identify the pitch of tones, the ability to imitate rhythms, and the ability to beat in time to music in four groups of ten subjects. Two groups (Y1 and Y2) had been involved in the Yamaha music programme, which aimed to improve the skills mentioned above. The other two groups (K1 and K2) had attended Kindergarten but had not been involved in any formal music programmes. Two of these groups (Y1 and K1) participated in pre-tests and post-tests. The other two groups (Y2 and K2) had participated in the post-tests only. The two groups which were taught via the Yamaha method consisted of ten students (male and female). The two other groups consisted of ten students in each group. These groups comprised students randomly selected from two Kindergarten classes at Fraser Primary school in the A.C.T. All students were presented with three tests: one pitch test, and two rhythm performance tests. Each test contained ten items. The three tests were trialled in a pilot study, with only minimum changes to procedure being required. The Yamaha groups were also given a pitch identification test at the conclusion of the six-month period. Each student's performance in the ten trials of the three tests was recorded on audio tape. Three judges used these recorded responses to grade each student's performance. The trials were also recorded digitally on an Apple II Computer using a sequencing software package. Detailed statistical analysis was carried out on both subjective and digital scores. The experimental design used in this research was the "Solomon's Four" design, which was ideal in controlling for internal sources of invalidity. A series of comparisons were drawn between the various groups involved, and it was concluded that the six-month Yamaha aural training programme led to the following outcomes: * improvements in the ability of Yamaha students to determine pitch height. * a higher incidence of improvement for the experimental group in the pitch pairs test (to determine pitch height) than for the control group. * improvements in the ability of Yamaha students to identify the pitch of notes. * no statistically significant improvements for Yamaha students at the end of six months for rhythm test A (rhythm imitation). * no statistically significant improvements in the performance of Yamaha students at the end of six months for rhythm test B (beating in time to music). * no statistically significant improvements in the performance of the Kindergarten groups at the end of six months for rhythm test A. * no statistically significant improvements in the performance of the Kindergarten groups at the end of six months for rhythm test B. A number of explanations were offered for the absence of improvement in the two rhythm tests and recommendations were made for future research.

Syftet med undersökningen är att få en uppfattning om vilka matematiska aktiviteter som genomförs och kan genomföras under sångstunder på förskolor i Sverige och om de genomförs på ett sätt så att barnen arbetar mot målen i läroplanen. Detta eftersom mycket forskning tyder på att mycket matematikinlärning kan ske under sångstunder/musiklektioner. Teori och forskning säger att musik kan utveckla matematiken hos barn på många olika sätt.Min metod var att observera en sångstund på tre förskolor i en kommun och därefter intervjua förskollärarna som höll i sångstunderna.Resultatet visade att lärarna använde en hel del matematik under sångstunderna som det är, några mer medvetna om det än andra. Det visades även att pedagogerna anser att matematiken passar bra ihop med musik. Jag kan se vilka matematiska och musikaliska aktiviteter som genomfördes.Min önskan är att pedagoger ska ge barnen mycket matematikkunskaper under en sångstund. Det märks att där finns matematik till och med om vi inte lyfter det speciellt mycket. Tänk då vad som händer när pedagogen verkligen tänker på att lägga upp det matematiskt. Det jag i synnerhet ser i resultatet är att det är enkelt att få in matematik under sångstunderna och tycker därför att vi borde passa på att göra det. / The purpose of the survey is to get an idea of ​​what mathematical activities thats being used and can be implemented in singing while at nursery schools in Sweden and if implemented in a way so that the children are working towards the goals of the curriculum. This is because much research suggests that much mathematics learning can take place during the singing moments / music lessons. Theory and research says that music can develop mathematics in children in many different ways.My method was to observe a time of singing at three preschools in a municipality and then interviewing the preschool teachers who held the singing moments.The results showed that teachers used a lot of math in time of singing as it is, some more aware of it than others. It was also shown that teachers believe that mathematics fit well with music. I can see what mathematical and musical activities that were carried out.My wish is that teachers should give children much mathematics skills during a time of singing. It is noticeable that there are math even if we do not lift it very much. Imagine then what happens when the teacher really think about doing it mathematically. What I particularly see in the results is that it is easy to get into math in singing moments and therefore think that we should take the opportunity to do so.

Syftet med arbetet var att undersöka om det finns skillnader och likheter mellan afromusiker och folkmusiker beträffande hur de behandlar begreppet sväng. För att besvara syftet användes fyra forskningsfrågor; Hur skapas sväng? Vad fokuserar musiker på i skapandet av sväng? Finns det skillnader mellan afromusikerns och folkmusikerns uppfattning om sväng? Och i så fall hur skiljer sig uppfattningarna åt?   Undersökningen gjordes genom intervjuer av sex musiker; tre afromusiker och tre folkmusiker. Arbetet baseras på deras subjektiva åsikter samt på forskning och litteratur i ämnet.   I arbetet tas följande teman upp; pulsförhållning och rytm, fotstamp/takt, timing, dynamik och kommunikation/samspel. Det visade sig att det finns vissa skillnader och likheter mellan de båda genrerna och mina informanters uppfattning om sväng. I studien visar bland annat att; det kan skilja mellan genrerna hur musikerna förhåller sig till en puls för att skapa sväng. Det kan även skilja hur musikerna använder dynamik i spelet för att skapa sväng. Musikerna är dock eniga om rytmens/synkopers betydelse för sväng. / The purpose of this study is to acquire a better understanding of how folk musicians and jazz/pop musicians view the concept of groove. To answer this, four research questions were used;   How do we create groove? What does a musician focus on in the creation of groove? Are there differences between folk musicians’ and Afro-musicians’ opinions on groove? And if so, how do the opinions differ?   I have interviewed six musicians; three Swedish folk musicians and three Afro-musicians. The study is based on their opinions, in addition to research and literature in this subject.   The material is broken down into different themes; beat variations and rythm, beats, timing, dynamics and communication. The study demonstrated that there are certain differences and similarities between the two genres and the opinions of those interviewed on the subject. Among other things, the study showed that the musicians had different ways in relating to the beat, and different ways to apply dynamics in their music to achieve groove. The musicians are unanimous in their view of the importance of syncopations in relation to the beat.

This diploma thesis examines John Dewey's concept of experience, focusing especially on his notion that an aesthetic factor is present in every complete and consummatory experience. It deals with the differences between a common experience and "an experience" and examines how an aesthetic factor works in them. The indispensable role of the aesthetic factor is intentionally demonstrated on the non-artistic example of experiences of snowboarding. The most important findings are developed through the approach of Richard Shusterman's somaesthetics. The theories of these two philosophers support the main idea of this thesis, namely that dynamic movements of the body can bring aesthetic experiences to their actor. Thus, some of the reasons that explain the attractiveness of this modern sport come to light that are not apparent at first glance.

O objetivo do trabalho foi verificar possíveis relações entre a ocorrência dos fogachos e as oscilações da temperatura periférica, atividade motora e do humor. Participaram do protocolo 19 pacientes do Hospital das Clínicas de São Paulo, separadas em 2 grupos: mulheres pós-menopausa com fogachos e mulheres pós-menopausa sem fogachos, mais o grupo controle. As variáveis coletadas foram: a atividade motora do braço, temperatura da pele do punho e ocorrência de fogachos. Encontramos ritmicidade circadiana significativa na ocorrência de fogachos em 5 voluntárias e ritmicidade infradiana significativa (períodos entre 7 e 14 dias) em 4 voluntárias. Observamos correlação positiva entre essa pontuação do questionário de cronotipo e a amplitude da curva ajustada do ritmo de temperatura punho e correlação positiva entre fogachos e a média da temperatura do punho. A média da temperatura do punho das mulheres com fogachos foi maior que a das mulheres sem fogachos e controles. Na população estudada demonstramos evidências de relações entre os episódios de fogachos e as oscilações da temperatura periférica, atividade motora. Não encontramos relações significativas entre a ocorrência de fogachos e variações dos estados de humor alegria e ansiedade. / In this study we evaluated possible correlations between peripheral (wrist) temperature, rest/activity and mood circadian rhythms and the occurrence of hot flashes in post-menopausal women. Nineteen patients from Hospital das Clínicas de São Paulo had participated this study. The patients were separated in 2 groups: post-menopausal women with hot flashes (n=13) aged 55±4; postmenopausal women without hot flashes (n=6) with 59±1.51 years old, besides the control group (n=10) with 36±4 years old. The data collected were motor activity of the arm, peripheral (wrist skin) temperature and occurrence of episodes of hot flashes. Volunteers wore actimeters to collect motor activity data and wrist temperature along 30 consecutive days and filled sleep diaries and two visual analogue scales (anxiety and joy) for mood self-evaluations every three hours and during the hot flashes. All volunteers filled the chronotype questionnaire (QC). We found significant (p<0.05) circadian rhythmicity of hot flashes occurrence in 5 women and significant (p<0.05) infradian rhythmicity (periods between 7 and 14 days) in 4 women; positive correlation between QC scores and total number of hot flashes (r=0.424; p<0.05). We also observed positive correlation between the QC score and the amplitude of the fitted curve of peripheral temperature rhythm (r= 0.628; p<0.01) and positive correlation between total number of hot flashes and mean value of wrist temperature (r=0.505;p<0.05). The mean value of peripheral temperature of postmenopausal women with hot flashes was higher than that for post-menopausal women without hot flashes and control group (p<0.036, Kruskal-Wallis test). We found an increase (p< 0.001, Mann-Whitney test) in mean wrist temperature within 15 minutes of hot flashes. The occurrence of hot flashes tends to be concentrated between the evening and sleep onset for most of the women who referred hot flashes. We have demonstrated some evidences of relationships between episodes of hot flashes and the peripheral temperature and motor activity oscillations. We have not found significant relations between the occurrence of hot flashes and mood oscillations as measured for the states of anxiety and joy.

Objetivo. Estudar mecanismos que limitam a precisão em tarefas de produção de ritmos e sincronização sensório-motora a partir da análise da variabilidade observada em tarefas de bater o dedo com tempo espontâneo, em sincronização sensório-motora a metrônomos externos, e ainda, na manutenção da ritmicidade definida por metrônomos externos, depois destes serem desligados. Método. Um total de 11 participantes (idade média de ± 23 anos, 5 homens, destros e sem formação musical) executaram tarefas de batida do dedo, com o vínculo de ser o mais regular possível, em 3 experimentos: batida de um ritmo espontâneo, sincronização a metrônomos externos (luminosos ou sonoros) com período de 200 ms, 400 ms e 800 ms, e da manutenção do ritmo definido pelos metrônomos, mesmo depois destes serem desligados. A análise dos dados privilegiou a análise dos desvios padrão e coeficientes de variação nos experimentos. Resultados. A periodicidade média espontânea escolhida pelos participantes foi 527,5 ms, com desvio padrão de 107 ms, correspondendo a uma frequência em torno de 2 Hz. O desvio padrão médio individual foi de aproximadamente 29 ms. A sincronização ao metrônomo luminoso foi significativamente mais imprecisa e variável do que ao metrônomo auditivo (p = 0.005). Essa diferença se manteve mesmo nas tarefas de continuação, batendo o dedo depois de desligar os metrônomos, tanto o luminoso quanto o sonoro. Surpreendentemente, a estabilidade das batidas na fase de continuação foi significativamente melhor do que na fase de sincronia, tanto com o metrônomo luminoso quanto com o sonoro (p < 0.004). Outro resultado importante foi que o coeficiente de variação (razão entre desvio padrão e período médio de batidas; aproximadamente 5%) manteve-se mais estável que o desvio padrão em todas as situações experimentais. Discussão. Os dados deste estudo confirmam dados na literatura que sugerem que a frequência espontânea dos movimentos periódicos de seres humanos seja tipicamente de 2 Hz, o que reforça a idéia que a escolha de um ritmo espontâneo seja baseada em substratos anatômicos (ressonâncias biomecânicas), relativamente invariantes entre indivíduos. Também foi confirmada a hipóteses sugeridas na literatura de que, a sincronia a estímulos sonoros é significativamente mais precisa e menos variável que a estímulos luminosos. A maior estabilidade na fase de continuidade do que na fase de sincronia com os estímulos guia, faz pensar que há interferências das pistas externas com o relógio interno. A estabilidade do coeficiente de variação, maior que a do desvio padrão, sugere que o relógio interno dependa de um mecanismo de acumulação. Conclusão. A faixa de 2 Hz presente em movimentos rítmicos oscilatórios é provavelmente inerente a substratos anatômicos relativamente invariantes. Metrônomos sonoros são mais eficientes em guiar a batida de dedo do que metrônomos luminosos. Não foi possível separar a contribuição do relógio interno à variabilidade das batidas de dedo, pois, surpreendentemente, na continuidade de batidas após desligamento de metrônomos externos, seja luminosos que sonoros, a estabilidade melhorou, em vez de piorar. A estabilidade do coeficiente de variação sugere o envolvimento direto de mecanismo de acumulação nos relógios internos, pelo menos nas escalas de tempo dos experimentos (200 a 800 ms). / Purpose: To study mechanisms that limit the accuracy of rhythm production and sensorimotor synchronization analyzing the variability in finger tapping tasks, be they spontaneous finger tapping, sensorimotor synchronization to external metronomes, or rhythm maintenance after turning off the external metronome. Methods: A total of 11 participants (mean age ± 23 years, 5 men, right handed and musically untrained) performed finger tapping tasks, with the constraint of highest possible regularity, in 3 experiments: spontaneous tapping, tapping in synchrony to external metronomes (light flashes or sound bips) with periods of 200 ms, 400 ms and 800 ms, and maintaining a steady pace set by the external metronome, after it was turned off. Data analysis focused on analysis of standard deviations and coefficients of variation. Results: The average frequency chosen by participants in spontaneous rhythm production was 527.5 ms with a standard deviation of 107 ms, corresponding to a frequency around 2 Hz. Average individual standard deviation was approximately 29 ms. Synchronization (and continuity) to the light metronome was significantly more imprecise and variable than synchronization to the sound metronome (p = 0.005). This difference persisted even in the continuation tasks, for both sound and light metronomes. Surprisingly, the stability in the continuation task was significantly better than during synchronization (p <0.004). Another important result was that the coefficient of variation (ratio of standard deviation to mean period; approximately 5%) was more stable than the standard deviation in all experimental conditions. Discussion: Data from this study confirm the literature, suggesting that the spontaneous frequency of periodic movements of humans is around 2 Hz, which reinforces the idea that they are based on anatomical substrates (biomechanical resonances), which are relatively invariant across individuals. Data from this study also confirmed literature reports that timing to sound metronomes is significantly more accurate and less variable than timing to light metronomes The greater stability in the continuation task than in synchronization task suggests that external cues interfere with the internal clock. The stability of the coefficient of variation, higher than the stability of the standard deviation suggests that the internal clock is based on accumulation mechanisms. Conclusion: The frequency of 2 Hz in the rhythmic oscillatory movements of humans is probably inherent to anatomical substrates that are relatively constant across individuals. Sound metronomes are more efficient in guiding finger tapping tasks than light metronomes. It was not possible to separate out the contribution of the internal clock to the variability of finger tapping, because stability was higher the continuation phase than in the synchronization phase, both with sound and with light metronomes. Finally, the stability of the coefficient of variation suggest the direct involvement of accumulation mechanisms in the internal clock, at least on the time scales of these experiments (200 to 800 ms).

En quoi et comment l'étude des rythmes de marche rejoint-elle une approche de la ville par le corps ? Cette question qui traverse ce travail, est aussi celle que nous formulons en direction de la conception architecturale et urbaine des espaces publics contemporains. En choisissant de contribuer aux recherches sur la marche en ville et en nous consacrant à l'étude des rythmes de marche, nous avons choisi de nous intéresser particulièrement à la définition de l'espace du mouvement, c'est-à-dire à l'importance, au niveau de la perception, de l'établissement d'une relation à l'environnement qui n'en appelle pas à une expérience finalisée de la réalisation d'un parcours d'un point de départ à un point d'arrivée, mais à celle de l'avènement d'une présence. De quelle manière s'établit cette relation à l'environnement qui nous ouvre à cette expérience de parcourir la ville sur le mode des variations présentielles ? Comment peut-on envisager concevoir l'espace public urbain selon ce mode du mouvement des corps et de l'espace ? En explorant cette problématique, nous inscrivons notre travail dans le champ des ambiances architecturales et urbaines, en revendiquant pour la marche à la fois sa dimension d'expérience sensible de la ville par le corps mais aussi, par l'engagement du corps qu'elle permet, la disposition à une posture pouvant enclencher le processus de conception. Notre étude a porté sur deux terrains : l'esplanade de la BnF et la passerelle Simone de Beauvoir à Paris. Entre immersion, recueil de paroles en marche et travail vidéographique, au détour de la post modern dance et de la danse contemporaine, notre recherche croise les dimensions sensibles, spatiales du mouvement et des émotions de la marche. Les analyses menées s'attachent à découvrir et restituer les mouvements de l'expérience présentielle de ces terrains d'étude. Ces observations pourront intéresser le milieu de la conception en l'amenant à une réflexion sur la composition des espaces publics en termes de conditions d'appuis des corps en marche permettant d'établir une relation à l'environnement dans le mouvement. Cette recherche ouvre aussi à un questionnement sur la façon dont une approche par l'esthétique de l'ambiance peut s'instaurer en critique de la conception architecturale et urbaine par le mouvement. / How, and in what way, does studying rhythms of walking relate to a body-based approach to the city? This is the question that runs through this study. It is also the question that we pose regarding the architectural and urban concept of contemporary public spaces. In choosing to contribute to research on walking in the city, and in devoting ourselves to the study of rhythms of walking, we have chosen especially to investigate the definition of the space in which movement occurs: in other words, the importance, in terms of perception, of establishing a relationship with the environment. This relationship is not an invitation to a finite experience of completing a course between the points of departure and arrival. Rather, it is the occurrence of presence. How is the relationship with the environment established that exposes us to this experience of traversing the city by means of variations of presence? How can we envisage designing public urban space according to this mode of the movement of bodies and space? In exploring this issue, we position our study in the field of architectural and urban ambiances. The study reclaims the act of walking as a sensory experience of the city through the body. At the same time, it considers the aspect of walking that, by permitting the engagement of the body, facilitates a posture capable of activating the process of conception. Our study covered two sites: the esplanade of the National Library, and the Passerelle Simone de Beauvoir in Paris. Using immersion, snatches of passing conversation and video, within a context of post modern dance and contemporary dance, our research takes in the sensory and spatial dimensions of the movement and emotions of walking. The analyses conducted aim to discover, and recreate, the movements of the experience of presence in these study sites. These observations may be of interest in the conceptual milieu, contributing to reflections on the composition of public spaces. They make reference to conditions for supporting bodies in the act of walking by enabling them to establish a relationship with the environment in their movement. This study also raises questions as to how an approach based on the environmental aesthetic could become a critique of the architectural and urban concept through movement.

O objetivo do trabalho foi verificar possíveis relações entre a ocorrência dos fogachos e as oscilações da temperatura periférica, atividade motora e do humor. Participaram do protocolo 19 pacientes do Hospital das Clínicas de São Paulo, separadas em 2 grupos: mulheres pós-menopausa com fogachos e mulheres pós-menopausa sem fogachos, mais o grupo controle. As variáveis coletadas foram: a atividade motora do braço, temperatura da pele do punho e ocorrência de fogachos. Encontramos ritmicidade circadiana significativa na ocorrência de fogachos em 5 voluntárias e ritmicidade infradiana significativa (períodos entre 7 e 14 dias) em 4 voluntárias. Observamos correlação positiva entre essa pontuação do questionário de cronotipo e a amplitude da curva ajustada do ritmo de temperatura punho e correlação positiva entre fogachos e a média da temperatura do punho. A média da temperatura do punho das mulheres com fogachos foi maior que a das mulheres sem fogachos e controles. Na população estudada demonstramos evidências de relações entre os episódios de fogachos e as oscilações da temperatura periférica, atividade motora. Não encontramos relações significativas entre a ocorrência de fogachos e variações dos estados de humor alegria e ansiedade. / In this study we evaluated possible correlations between peripheral (wrist) temperature, rest/activity and mood circadian rhythms and the occurrence of hot flashes in post-menopausal women. Nineteen patients from Hospital das Clínicas de São Paulo had participated this study. The patients were separated in 2 groups: post-menopausal women with hot flashes (n=13) aged 55±4; postmenopausal women without hot flashes (n=6) with 59±1.51 years old, besides the control group (n=10) with 36±4 years old. The data collected were motor activity of the arm, peripheral (wrist skin) temperature and occurrence of episodes of hot flashes. Volunteers wore actimeters to collect motor activity data and wrist temperature along 30 consecutive days and filled sleep diaries and two visual analogue scales (anxiety and joy) for mood self-evaluations every three hours and during the hot flashes. All volunteers filled the chronotype questionnaire (QC). We found significant (p<0.05) circadian rhythmicity of hot flashes occurrence in 5 women and significant (p<0.05) infradian rhythmicity (periods between 7 and 14 days) in 4 women; positive correlation between QC scores and total number of hot flashes (r=0.424; p<0.05). We also observed positive correlation between the QC score and the amplitude of the fitted curve of peripheral temperature rhythm (r= 0.628; p<0.01) and positive correlation between total number of hot flashes and mean value of wrist temperature (r=0.505;p<0.05). The mean value of peripheral temperature of postmenopausal women with hot flashes was higher than that for post-menopausal women without hot flashes and control group (p<0.036, Kruskal-Wallis test). We found an increase (p< 0.001, Mann-Whitney test) in mean wrist temperature within 15 minutes of hot flashes. The occurrence of hot flashes tends to be concentrated between the evening and sleep onset for most of the women who referred hot flashes. We have demonstrated some evidences of relationships between episodes of hot flashes and the peripheral temperature and motor activity oscillations. We have not found significant relations between the occurrence of hot flashes and mood oscillations as measured for the states of anxiety and joy.

Objetivo. Estudar mecanismos que limitam a precisão em tarefas de produção de ritmos e sincronização sensório-motora a partir da análise da variabilidade observada em tarefas de bater o dedo com tempo espontâneo, em sincronização sensório-motora a metrônomos externos, e ainda, na manutenção da ritmicidade definida por metrônomos externos, depois destes serem desligados. Método. Um total de 11 participantes (idade média de ± 23 anos, 5 homens, destros e sem formação musical) executaram tarefas de batida do dedo, com o vínculo de ser o mais regular possível, em 3 experimentos: batida de um ritmo espontâneo, sincronização a metrônomos externos (luminosos ou sonoros) com período de 200 ms, 400 ms e 800 ms, e da manutenção do ritmo definido pelos metrônomos, mesmo depois destes serem desligados. A análise dos dados privilegiou a análise dos desvios padrão e coeficientes de variação nos experimentos. Resultados. A periodicidade média espontânea escolhida pelos participantes foi 527,5 ms, com desvio padrão de 107 ms, correspondendo a uma frequência em torno de 2 Hz. O desvio padrão médio individual foi de aproximadamente 29 ms. A sincronização ao metrônomo luminoso foi significativamente mais imprecisa e variável do que ao metrônomo auditivo (p = 0.005). Essa diferença se manteve mesmo nas tarefas de continuação, batendo o dedo depois de desligar os metrônomos, tanto o luminoso quanto o sonoro. Surpreendentemente, a estabilidade das batidas na fase de continuação foi significativamente melhor do que na fase de sincronia, tanto com o metrônomo luminoso quanto com o sonoro (p < 0.004). Outro resultado importante foi que o coeficiente de variação (razão entre desvio padrão e período médio de batidas; aproximadamente 5%) manteve-se mais estável que o desvio padrão em todas as situações experimentais. Discussão. Os dados deste estudo confirmam dados na literatura que sugerem que a frequência espontânea dos movimentos periódicos de seres humanos seja tipicamente de 2 Hz, o que reforça a idéia que a escolha de um ritmo espontâneo seja baseada em substratos anatômicos (ressonâncias biomecânicas), relativamente invariantes entre indivíduos. Também foi confirmada a hipóteses sugeridas na literatura de que, a sincronia a estímulos sonoros é significativamente mais precisa e menos variável que a estímulos luminosos. A maior estabilidade na fase de continuidade do que na fase de sincronia com os estímulos guia, faz pensar que há interferências das pistas externas com o relógio interno. A estabilidade do coeficiente de variação, maior que a do desvio padrão, sugere que o relógio interno dependa de um mecanismo de acumulação. Conclusão. A faixa de 2 Hz presente em movimentos rítmicos oscilatórios é provavelmente inerente a substratos anatômicos relativamente invariantes. Metrônomos sonoros são mais eficientes em guiar a batida de dedo do que metrônomos luminosos. Não foi possível separar a contribuição do relógio interno à variabilidade das batidas de dedo, pois, surpreendentemente, na continuidade de batidas após desligamento de metrônomos externos, seja luminosos que sonoros, a estabilidade melhorou, em vez de piorar. A estabilidade do coeficiente de variação sugere o envolvimento direto de mecanismo de acumulação nos relógios internos, pelo menos nas escalas de tempo dos experimentos (200 a 800 ms). / Purpose: To study mechanisms that limit the accuracy of rhythm production and sensorimotor synchronization analyzing the variability in finger tapping tasks, be they spontaneous finger tapping, sensorimotor synchronization to external metronomes, or rhythm maintenance after turning off the external metronome. Methods: A total of 11 participants (mean age ± 23 years, 5 men, right handed and musically untrained) performed finger tapping tasks, with the constraint of highest possible regularity, in 3 experiments: spontaneous tapping, tapping in synchrony to external metronomes (light flashes or sound bips) with periods of 200 ms, 400 ms and 800 ms, and maintaining a steady pace set by the external metronome, after it was turned off. Data analysis focused on analysis of standard deviations and coefficients of variation. Results: The average frequency chosen by participants in spontaneous rhythm production was 527.5 ms with a standard deviation of 107 ms, corresponding to a frequency around 2 Hz. Average individual standard deviation was approximately 29 ms. Synchronization (and continuity) to the light metronome was significantly more imprecise and variable than synchronization to the sound metronome (p = 0.005). This difference persisted even in the continuation tasks, for both sound and light metronomes. Surprisingly, the stability in the continuation task was significantly better than during synchronization (p <0.004). Another important result was that the coefficient of variation (ratio of standard deviation to mean period; approximately 5%) was more stable than the standard deviation in all experimental conditions. Discussion: Data from this study confirm the literature, suggesting that the spontaneous frequency of periodic movements of humans is around 2 Hz, which reinforces the idea that they are based on anatomical substrates (biomechanical resonances), which are relatively invariant across individuals. Data from this study also confirmed literature reports that timing to sound metronomes is significantly more accurate and less variable than timing to light metronomes The greater stability in the continuation task than in synchronization task suggests that external cues interfere with the internal clock. The stability of the coefficient of variation, higher than the stability of the standard deviation suggests that the internal clock is based on accumulation mechanisms. Conclusion: The frequency of 2 Hz in the rhythmic oscillatory movements of humans is probably inherent to anatomical substrates that are relatively constant across individuals. Sound metronomes are more efficient in guiding finger tapping tasks than light metronomes. It was not possible to separate out the contribution of the internal clock to the variability of finger tapping, because stability was higher the continuation phase than in the synchronization phase, both with sound and with light metronomes. Finally, the stability of the coefficient of variation suggest the direct involvement of accumulation mechanisms in the internal clock, at least on the time scales of these experiments (200 to 800 ms).

Title: Use of the DRUMS ALIVE program (drumming on gymnastic balls) for seniors. Objectives: The aim of the thesis was to find out whether there will be a change in functional fitness after three months of application of the "Drums Alive" program for seniors. Methods: Ten women with an average age of 75 years were tested. Functional fitness was evaluated using the measurement of batteries "Senior Fitness Test" before and after the three-month intervention program. A custom inteview survey was used for evaluation of subjective feelings of the participants. The exercises took place once a week for three months and each lesson lasted 40 minutes. Results: Fitness Drums Alive applied for a duration of 3 months mainly improved the strength of the upper and lower extremities. The flexibility of the joints of the upper and lower extremities, aerobic fitness and agility did not show any major changes. The training program was assessed positively overall by the participants. Keywords: physical activity, fitness, rythm, health, aging