title: On the role of imagery modalities on motor learning.
abstract: In the present study, we examine specifically how the sensory conditions available during physical practice of a task might influence the subsequent use of motor imagery. First, as a pre-test, participants had to physically reproduce knee joint positions with or without vision. Second, they practised motor imagery (15 and 150 trials) with visual, kinaesthetic or visuo-kinaesthetic imagery. A control group with no imagery was included. Post-tests were then performed 10 min and 24 h after each imagery session in a sensory condition similar to that used in the pre-test. Results showed that efficient motor imagery instructions have to take account of the sensory information available during physical experience of the task: kinaesthetic or visuo-kinaesthetic imagery in a no-vision condition, and visual imagery or, to a lesser extent, visuo-kinaesthetic imagery in a vision condition. Discussion focuses on the role of sensory motor memory on motor prediction to simulate a specific movement, and on the similarities between physical and mental practice in the development of sensory-specific movement representation.
authors.affiliation: Centre de Recherches sur la Cognition et l'Apprentissage, CNRS UMR 6234, Universite de Poitiers, Poitiers, France.
authors.forename: Lucette
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Toussaint
authors.forename: Yannick
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Blandin
mesh_terms: D000704:Analysis of Variance; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D056228:Feedback, Sensory; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007092:Imagination; D021621:Imaging, Three-Dimensional / Q000295:instrumentation*; D007719:Knee Joint / Q000502:physiology*; D007858:Learning; D008297:Male; D009048:Motor Skills; D009068:Movement; D010465:Perception; D011187:Posture; D011434:Proprioception; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D013647:Task Performance and Analysis; D014796:Visual Perception; D055815:Young Adult