The invention relates to a method for controlling the operation of a cylinder group for an internal combustion engine comprising an intake valve, an exhaust valve, handling members for controlling the opening of valves according to the predetermined conditions of the engine operation for selectively opening or closing said intake and exhaust valves, wherein the closing of the intake and exhaust valves is carried out at two distinct adapted times: for the intake valves, in the middle of a time extending between the theoretical intake valve closing timing of one cylinder and the intake valve opening timing of the other cylinder; for the exhaust valve of the cylinders, in the middle of a time extending between the exhaust valve theoretical closing timing of one cylinder and the exhaust valve opening timing of the other cylinder.