The correlation structure of relative phase variability influences the occurrence of phase transition in coordination.

The coordination dynamics framework has presumed that fluctuations in relative phase series produced in bimanual coordination are random. However, results from recent studies have shown that relative phase series contain 1/f(beta) noise (persistent long-range correlations) instead. Using an incremental protocol in line with the paradigmatic bimanual coordination framework, the author shows that the movement frequencies at which individuals spontaneously switch from anti-phase to in-phase coordination are significantly correlated with the intensity of long-range correlations but not with the amplitude of baseline fluctuations in relative phase. This finding illustrates the tangible relationship between present theoretical perspectives and accumulating evidence for 1/f(beta) noise. The author underscores the heuristic potential of systematic efforts to bridge the gap between present theories and the pervasive findings of 1/f(beta) noise.