On the Parametrization of Clapping

For a Reactive Virtual Trainer(RVT), subtle timing and lifelikeness of motion is of primary importance. To allow for reactivity, movement adaptation, like a change of tempo, is necessary. In this paper we investigate the relation between movement tempo, its synchronization to verbal counting, time distribution, amplitude, and left-right symmetry of a clapping movement. We analyze motion capture data of two subjects performing a clapping exercise, both freely and timed by a metronome. Our findings are compared to existing gesture research and existing biomechanical models. We found that, for our subjects, verbal counting adheres to the phonological synchrony rule. A linear relationship between the movement path length and the tempo was found. The symmetry between the left and the right hand can be described by the biomechanical model of two coupled oscillators.