What is learned in mental practice?

Content of research project: Mental practice designates the systematic and repetitive use of motor imagery (the imagination of movements without their actual execution) with the aim to improve performance. It is unclear, what aspects of a task are learned in mental practice and whether this is similar to physical practice. One way to investigate this is to test intermanual transfer, that is transfer of a skill learned with one hand to the other hand. An example of intermanual transfer is when one is used to changing gears with the right hand but then drives a British car in which one has to change gears with the left hand. Research question: It has been argued that movement representations are more flexible after mental practice than after physical practice. Does this result in more intermanual transfer after mental practice than after physical practice? Does this depend on how long the skill has been practiced? Is intermanual transfer easier when spatially same movements or when mirror movements are performed? Is intermanual transfer similar from the dominant to the non-dominant hand and the reverse? Does the focus during mental practice (primarily on vision or kinesthesis) have an influence on intermanual transfer? Is subthreshold muscle activity during mental practice related to intermanual transfer? Does intermanual transfer depend on the type of task? Methods: In several experiments, participants will either perform physical practice, mental practice, or control practice. In some experiments two different types of mental practice (visual and kinesthetic) will be performed. Practice will occur with either the dominant or nondominant hand. In all experiments, the first four sessions (three to four days apart) will start with transfer tests followed by practice. Session 5 (two weeks after Session 1) will include the usual tests and additional tests. To assess the stability of training effects participants will be tested again one month later. Different tasks will be used. Behavioural data (reaction times, movement times, and errors) and (subthreshold) muscle activity will be recorded. Scientific innovation: Mental practice is widely used in sports and has recently been applied to motor rehabilitation. However, little is known about the underlying processes of skill acquisition during mental practice and what exactly is learned. Results from this project will significantly enhance the understanding of mental practice and contribute to a solid theoretical and empirical basis for applications of mental practice.

No additional funding sources recorded.