A team of sports scientists and cognitive biologists at the University of Vienna has demonstrated in a new study that solving a task together can promote spontaneous movement synchronization. Such synchronization serves as a kind of "social glue" and plays an important role in the social functioning of communities. To better understand this mechanism, the researchers examined how working on a jigsaw puzzle together influenced movement synchronization during trampoline jumping. The results showed that pairs who had worked together on a puzzle subsequently displayed greater synchronization on the trampoline than pairs who had worked on the puzzle individually. Initial mutual rapport also had a positive effect. The study was published in the journal PLOS ONE.

The fact that shared actions create a sense of connection between people is central to effective social functioning of communities. Synchronization – namely, the coordination of actions or movements between two or more individuals – is often described as a kind of "social glue." Previous research has shown that engaging in synchronous activities strengthens feelings of togetherness, similarity, and connectedness. However, researchers have long wondered whether the reverse might also be true: can shared experiences enhance our unconscious coordination - our spontaneous movement synchrony – with others? The current study aims to shed light on exactly this phenomenon, offering new insights into how collaborative actions and social bonding can influence spontaneous movement synchrony. With these findings, the scientists add another puzzle piece to the growing body of research on the antecedents of interpersonal synchrony and thus contribute to a broader understanding of everyday areas such as education and therapy, as well as fields like team building and sports performance.

About the study: 68 study participants solved jigsaw puzzles and jumped on trampolines

Puzzles and trampolines were used to address the initial research question: the researchers examined how working together on a jigsaw puzzle influenced subsequent movement synchronization when jumping on trampolines. The study involved a total of 68 participants, who were divided into same-gender pairs. These pairs were randomly assigned to one of two groups. In the first group, the pairs worked together on a puzzle, whereas in the second group, the participants worked on their puzzles individually. After the puzzle phase, the pairs jumped on two separate trampolines and their movements were recorded using acceleration sensors. In addition, the participants completed questionnaires before and after the experiment to assess their mood and their rapport toward their partner.

Greater synchronization after solving jigsaw puzzles together

"Our results show that pairs who worked on a jigsaw puzzle together achieved significantly higher synchronization when jumping on the trampoline than those who worked on the puzzle individually," says first author Clara Scheer from the Division of Sport Psychology at the University of Vienna. "It was particularly noteworthy that the participants' initial level of rapport toward each other also had a strong positive effect on their subsequent movement synchrony," Scheer adds. Moreover, the researchers found that participants’ mood improved – but only among those who had worked on the puzzle together.

These findings provide new insights into how cooperative interactions not only strengthen social bonds but also enhance the ability to spontaneously synchronize movements in other tasks. They highlight the central role of shared activities in fostering interpersonal synchronization, which is considered crucial for successful collaboration and social cohesion.

"The results underscore that social connectedness and cooperation are strongly connected. Acting together not only strengthens the bond between individuals but also enhances their intuitive attunement to one another – an essential foundation for successful collaboration," Scheer summarizes.

Summary:

• Solving a task together can promote spontaneous movement synchrony. In this study, this effect was specifically demonstrated by having participants work on a jigsaw puzzle together and then jump on a trampoline.
• Synchronization – the coordination of actions or movements between two or more individuals – is considered a form of "social glue" which is essential for the effective social functioning of communities.
• Study procedure: 68 participants were paired and then randomly assigned to one of two groups. Pairs who first worked together on the puzzle later jumped more synchronously on the trampoline than those who solved the puzzle individually.
• These findings make an important contribution to real-life contexts such as education and therapy, as well as to team building and sports performance.

About the University of Vienna:

For over 650 years the University of Vienna has stood for education, research and innovation. Today, it is ranked among the top 100 and thus the top four per cent of all universities worldwide and is globally connected. With degree programmes covering over 180 disciplines, and more than 10,000 employees we are one of the largest academic institutions in Europe. Here, people from a broad spectrum of disciplines come together to carry out research at the highest level and develop solutions for current and future challenges. Its students and graduates develop reflected and sustainable solutions to complex challenges using innovative spirit and curiosity.