title: Relation between sport activity and mental rotation: comparison of three groups of subjects.
abstract: The aim was to observe the relation between sport activity and performance on a mental image-transformation task. A classical mental rotation task using abstract stimuli was administered to three groups: (a) gymnasts who used mental and physical rotations in their practice, (b) athletes whose activities required very little motor rotation, and (c) nonathletes. Both sport groups performed similarly and obtained significantly shorter response times than those of the nonathletes. We suggest that the regular practice of spatial activities, such as sports, could be related to the spatial capacities of the participants.
authors.affiliation: Research Center in Physical and Sport Activities, University of Caen, France.
authors.forename: Sylvie
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Ozel
authors.forename: Jacques
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Larue
authors.forename: Corinne
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Molinaro
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D006801:Humans; D007092:Imagination; D007858:Learning; D008297:Male; D008606:Mental Processes; D011597:Psychomotor Performance; D011897:Random Allocation; D011930:Reaction Time; D012399:Rotation; D013177:Sports