Expertise in dance modulates alpha/beta event-related desynchronization during action observation.
We presented professional dancers and non-dancers with videos of two movement styles, dance movements and everyday movements. Participants were asked to indicate by a button press to which category a movement belonged. We computed event-related desynchronization (ERD) in alpha and beta frequency bands between 7.5 and 25 Hz relative to a visual baseline condition. Power in alpha and lower beta frequency bands was significantly reduced if dancers watched dance movements but not if non-dancers watched dance movements, in particular between 1 and 2 s after movement onset. During observation of everyday movements no such group difference was evident. Thus, ERD in alpha and beta frequency bands was modulated by a participant's expertise with a certain movement style. The results are discussed in light of a human observation-execution matching system similar to the macaque mirror neuron system and strengthen the idea of a functional relationship between such a system and rhythmical activity in the alpha and beta frequency bands.
Orgs
Guido
G
Department of Experimental Psychology, Heinrich-Heine-University Düsseldorf, Universitätsstr. 1, 40225 Düsseldorf, Germany.
Dombrowski
Jan-Henryk
JH
Heil
Martin
M
Jansen-Osmann
Petra
P
D000328:Adult; D000513:Alpha Rhythm; D001611:Beta Rhythm; D003344:Cortical Synchronization; D003615:Dancing / Q000502:physiology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009474:Neurons / Q000502:physiology; D010775:Photic Stimulation; D011597:Psychomotor Performance / Q000502:physiology*; D014743:Videotape Recording