Final answer:
Research indicates that people are most accurate in maintaining a steady beat at a speed akin to a normal resting heart rate, typically between 60-100 beats per minute. This is much higher than the slower rates at which the heart's conductive system would take over, or where conditions like bradycardia could occur.
Step-by-step explanation:
According to the research by Herbert Woodrow, Paul Fraisse, Dirk-Jan Povel, and Peter Essens, people are most accurate in maintaining a steady beat at a speed corresponding to a normal resting heart rate, which is typically between 60-100 beats per minute. This range is significantly higher than the speed at which the heart's electrical conductive system would take over (30-40 impulses per minute for the atrioventricular (AV) node, 20-30 impulses per minute for the bundle branches, and 15-20 impulses per minute for the Purkinje fibers).
A speed lower than 50 beats per minute indicates bradycardia, which can lead to decreased bodily functions and potential unconsciousness if the heart can't maintain adequate blood flow. Therefore, while maintaining a steady beat, individuals would likely be most accurate at a speed well above the rate that would induce such conditions. This aligns with our understanding that most people have a resting heart rate above this potentially dangerous threshold.