From finger to whole-body movements: How movement type affects our sense of time

Interval timing is essential for adapting behaviour in dynamic environments. While previous research has shown that time perception is influenced by movement, the role of movement type in this interaction remains poorly understood. The present study aimed to further investigate this interaction, by comparing temporal performance (i.e., temporal accuracy and precision) across two movement types: whole-body reaching (WBR) movements and finger movements. Fourteen participants reproduced time intervals while performing both movement types using five target durations centred around the natural duration of the WBR movement. We observed lower temporal variability with WBR movements compared to finger movements. This can be explained by a Bayesian cue combination framework or an increase of the pacemaker rate within the Scalar Expectancy Theory. Regarding temporal accuracy, intervals were over-reproduced with finger movements compared to WBR movements, possibly due to fluctuations in attentional allocation during finger movements or an increase of the pacemaker rate during WBR movements. Additionally, within the WBR condition, shorter intervals were over-reproduced, which may reflect either subjective time compression induced by faster movements, or the influence of biomechanical constraints. These findings extend current models by suggesting that motor execution actively shapes temporal performance, serving as more than just a final output mechanism. This could hold implications for training and rehabilitation strategies, where engaging whole-body movements may help reduce temporal variability.