Differences in motor imagery times during aroused and relaxed conditions

Abstract

Motor imagery is recognized as an effective method used to enhance motor performance. However, several divergences remain in our understanding of the optimal physiological state required for effective imagery practice. In the present study, participants were required to use imagery in different states: aroused, relaxed, or in a baseline condition. The data revealed that imagery vividness did not differ in the aroused and relaxed condition. However, the ability to reach temporal equivalence between actual and imagined times was significantly greater for both the aroused and the basal conditions, than when performed after a relaxation period. It was concluded that the accuracy, speed, and vividness of the mental images are affected differently depending on the level of arousal experienced before imagery. Finally, it is proposed that relaxation might contribute to a modification of imagery times.

Increased Muscle Activation Following Motor Imagery During the Rehabilitation of the Anterior Cruciate Ligament

“…During the MI sessions, the participants were sited with the legs extended to preserve physiological activation, favorable to MI efficiency (Holmes and Collins 2001). As suggested by Rushall and Lippman (1998) and Louis et al (2011), relaxation is not essential to MI training, and may even limit its benefits when the ultimate imagery outcome is to improve learning and motor performance. In other words, relaxation was only used during initial imagery sessions to help the participants to reduce interferences from distractions just before using MI, but they were then requested to increase their arousal level as they would do during physical performance (Guillot and Collet 2008;Louis et al 2011).…”

“…As suggested by Rushall and Lippman (1998) and Louis et al (2011), relaxation is not essential to MI training, and may even limit its benefits when the ultimate imagery outcome is to improve learning and motor performance. In other words, relaxation was only used during initial imagery sessions to help the participants to reduce interferences from distractions just before using MI, but they were then requested to increase their arousal level as they would do during physical performance (Guillot and Collet 2008;Louis et al 2011). The participants were instructed to perceive muscle contractions and joint tension while imagining maximal isometric contraction of a full knee extension during 10 s, without moving.…”

Measuring Motor Imagery Using Psychometric, Behavioral, and Psychophysiological Tools

“…A negative difference between SC end and SC start would correspond to a decrease in arousal. This would mean that the athlete relaxed during the session, which could impair MI quality (16). The opposite result also is possible and would mean that the athlete increased his or her level of arousal.…”

“…We investigated the effect of voluntarily changing imagery speed on complex motor tasks, as well as a highly automated motor task, for which the duration was set and controlled for many years (16). The data revealed that changes in MI speed modified the execution time of subsequent motor tasks.…”

Functional equivalence or behavioural matching? A critical reflection on 15 years of research using the PETTLEP model of motor imagery

“…To explain, most studies that have used relaxation combined with imagery have not shown any significant benefits from the relaxation (Gray, Haring & Banks, 1984;Hamberger & Lohr, 1980;Weinberg, Seabourne, & Jackson, 1981) and many of the studies that have demonstrated strong imagery effects have not used relaxation procedures (Clark, 1960;Murphy, 1994;Smith & Holmes, 2004;Woolfolk, Parrish, & Murphy, 1985). In addition, recent research on the timing of motor imagery (see review by Guillot, Hoyek, Louis, & Collet, 2012) has shown that such timing was adversely affected when people performed motor imagery in a relaxed condition (see Louis , Collet, & Guillot, 2011). As Holmes and Collins (2001) pointed out, the idea of performing imagery in a relaxed state seems contradictory to what we know about the relatively high arousal states displayed by most athletes performing in competitive situations.…”