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

This study investigated the nature of imagery-based skill acquisition, specifically whether effector-independent and -dependent encoding occurs through motor imagery. Three groups (N=38) trained on a dart-throwing task for 10 days: motor imagery before physical practice (MIP-PP), motor imagery after physical practice (PP-MIP), or physical practice only (PP-PP). Performance was assessed throughout, and fMRI measured brain activity (MIP-PP and PP-MIP groups). Motor imagery improved global movement aspects, but performance was best when imagery preceded practice, though still inferior to physical practice alone. Greater activation in effector-dependent encoding regions was seen mid-training for the PP-MIP group. Results suggest motor imagery primarily involves effector-independent encoding.

Sarah N. Kraeutner, Jennifer L. McArthur, Paul H. Kraeutner, David A. Westwood, Shaun G. Boe