Journal
PSYCHOLOGY OF SPORT AND EXERCISE
Volume 68, Issue -, Pages -Publisher
ELSEVIER
DOI: 10.1016/j.psychsport.2023.102468
Keywords
Combined action observation and motor; imagery (AO plus MI) training; Motor learning; Mental practice; Motor skill acquisition; Motor imagery practice; Imitation learning
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This study investigated the training effects of combined action observation and motor imagery (AO + MI) on a complex cup-stacking task, without physical practice. The results showed that AO + MI practice led to shorter movement execution times compared to other conditions, both immediately after practice and one week later.
In this study we explored training effects for combined action observation and motor imagery (AO + MI) instructions on a complex cup-stacking task, without physical practice. Using a Graeco-Latin Square design, we randomly assigned twenty-six participants into four groups. This counterbalanced the within-participant factor of practice condition (AO + MI, AO, MI, Control) across four cup-stacking tasks, which varied in their complexity. On each of the three consecutive practice days participants experienced twenty trials under each of the three mental practice conditions. On each trial, a first-person perspective video depicted bilateral cup-stacking performed by an experienced model. During AO, participants passively observed this action, responding only to occasional colour cues. For AO + MI, participants imagined performing the observed action and synchronised their concurrent MI with the display. For MI, a sequence of pictures cued imagery of each stage of the task. Analyses revealed a significant main effect of practice condition both at the 'surprise' post-test (Day 3) and at the one-week retention test. At both time points movement execution times were significantly shorter for AO + MI compared with AO, MI and the Control. Execution times were also shorter overall at the retention compared with the post-test. These results demonstrate that a complex novel motor task can be acquired without physical training. Practitioners can therefore use AO + MI practice to supplement physical practice and optimise skill learning.
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