Probing the Effect of Block Duration on Corticospinal Excitability during Motor Imagery Performance

McArthur

et al. 2020

Sci Rep

Self Cite

While considered analogous to physical practice, the nature of imagery-based skill acquisition—specifically whether or not both effector independent and dependent encoding occurs through motor imagery—is not well understood. Here, motor imagery-based training was applied prior to or after physical practice-based training to probe the nature of imagery-based skill acquisition. Three groups of participants (N = 38) engaged in 10 days of training of a dart throwing task: 5 days of motor imagery prior to physical practice (MIP-PP), motor imagery following physical practice (PP-MIP), or physical practice only (PP-PP). Performance-related outcomes were assessed throughout. Brain activity was measured at three time points using fMRI (pre/mid/post-training; MIP-PP and PP-MIP groups). In contrast with physical practice, motor imagery led to changes in global versus specific aspects of the movement. Following 10 days of training, performance was greater when motor imagery preceded physical practice, although remained inferior to performance resulting from physical practice alone. Greater activation of regions that support effector dependent encoding was observed mid-, but not post-training for the PP-MIP group. Findings indicate that changes driven by motor imagery reflect effector independent encoding, providing new information regarding how motor imagery may be leveraged for skill acquisition.

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Leveraging the effector independent nature of motor imagery when it is paired with physical practice

McArthur

et al. 2020

Sci Rep

Self Cite

“…The intervention ran three times weekly for 8 weeks, following prior research recommendations ( Toth et al, 2020 ; Lee et al, 2021 ). Each 24-min imagery session comprised 4-min segments with 1-min breaks (4 min.…”

Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…6 blocks totalling 30 min. including the breaks), based on guidance from Lee et al (2021) . Sessions were held in the same laboratory as the initial measurements.…”

Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…This method can enhance movement performance by increasing brain activation of the muscle groups actively used during jumping. AOMI can help automate motor skills and enhance performance by mentally rehearsing the movement ( Nedelko et al, 2012 ; Lee et al, 2021 ). AOMI can provide athletes with visual feedback to understand and optimize the complexity of the jumping movement ( Kraeutner et al, 2020 ).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

See 1 more Smart Citation

The effect of action observation and motor imagery on jumping and perceived performance

Çiftçi,

Yılmaz

2024

Front. Psychol.

IntroductionAction observation (AO) and motor imagery (MI) are cognitive processes that involve mentally rehearsing and simulating movements without physically performing them. However, the need for the evidence to support influence of imagery on performance is increasing. This study aims to investigate the impact of combining motor imagery with action observation on athletes’ performance and performance perception.MethodUsing a pre-test post-test design with a factorial setup, participants were randomly assigned to experimental and control groups. A pre-research power analysis determined the sample size, resulting in 21 voluntary participants (10 male). Opto Jump device recorded drop jump performance measurements, while participants predicted their performance post-motor imagery and action observation practices. The experimental group underwent an 8-week AOMI intervention program, involving 24-minute motor imagery sessions during video observation thrice weekly. Post-test measurements were taken after the intervention.ResultsResults indicated no significant performance increase in the experimental group post-intervention, yet the group showed enhanced performance estimation following the video observation, but not in motor imagery condition. Conversely, this improvement was absent in the control group.DiscussionAlthough AOMI intervention didn’t enhance physical performance, it has positively affected athletes’ perception toward their performance. The findings are discussed in relation to existing literature.

Motor Imagery Improves Force Control in Older and Young Females

Calkins,

Kraeutner,

McNeil

et al. 2024

Preprint

Motor imagery training (MIT) is the mental rehearsal of a motor task with no overt movement that enhances physical performance through adaptations in neural excitability. MIT may prime the motor system for physical execution. In older adults, with physical practice, force steadiness (FS) improves and changes are related to improved performance of functional tasks, and associated with adaptations in neural excitability. The purpose of this study was to determine if one session of MIT influences corticospinal excitability and improves FS of isometric elbow flexion contractions in young and older female adults. To test the hypotheses that MIT would increase corticospinal excitability and improve isometric elbow flexion FS to a greater extent in older compared to young females fourteen older (67-89 years old) and twenty-two younger (19-33 years old) participants were randomly assigned to a MIT group or Control group. Participants, in a block design, performed isometric elbow flexion contractions at 10% of maximal force prior to and following MIT (training group) or no training (Control group). Elbow flexion contractions were performed in blocks 1, 3, and 5. MIT or documentary viewing was performed in blocks 2 and 4. Motor evoked potentials (MEPs) elicited by transcranial magnetic stimulation were collected within the last five seconds of each submaximal contraction. The MEPs were reduced in the older MIT group from block 1 to block 5 (p=0.039) but not the young MIT group (p=0.761). Force steadiness in the older (p=0.005) and young (p=0.001) females improved from baseline after 20 minutes of MIT. Older females improved force steadiness relative to the baseline to a greater extent than young females (older 8.44% and young 5.0%), and the improvements were significant in older females in the first 10 minutes. In older females, MIT primes the motor system and improves FS earlier and to a greater extent than in young females.