title: Improvement of motor performance by observational training in elderly people.
abstract: Action observation influences action execution; this strong coupling is underlined by an overlap of cortical areas activated during observation and execution of action, and is dependent of specific motor experience. The goal of the present study was to verify if action observation can be used for rehabilitation of elderly people. We tested this question with a protocol of observational practice of 2 frequently used movements: walking and sit-to-stand/back-to-sit. Both tasks were performed at normal and maximal speed before and after training, by 8 elderly subjects. Observational practice led to an increase in walking velocity via an increase in step frequency, but without modification of step length. In addition, we noted a reduction in BTS duration, but no modification of STS duration. These results highlight the fact that observational practice induces a reactivation in mental representation of action, and may lead to better movement control. Overall, observational practice offers interesting perspectives for rehabilitation of elderly people.
authors.affiliation: Motricité et Plasticité, INSERM/U877, Université de Bourgogne, Campus Universitaire, B.P. 27877, 21078 Dijon, France.
authors.forename: Banty
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Tia
authors.forename: France
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Mourey
authors.forename: Yves
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Ballay
authors.forename: Cyril
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Sirandré
authors.forename: Thierry
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Pozzo
authors.forename: Christos
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Paizis
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D056228:Feedback, Sensory; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007092:Imagination; D008297:Male; D009039:Motion Perception; D009068:Movement; D011214:Practice, Psychological; D013647:Task Performance and Analysis; D016138:Walking