Inter-task transfer of force gains is facilitated by motor imagery
IntroductionThere is compelling evidence that motor imagery (MI) contributes to improve muscle strength. While strong effects have been observed for finger muscles, only few experiments with moderate benefits were conducted within applied settings targeting large upper or lower limb muscles. The aim...
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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Frontiers Media S.A.
2023-08-01
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| Series: | Frontiers in Neuroscience |
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| Online Access: | https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fnins.2023.1228062/full |
| _version_ | 1797743496890679296 |
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| author | Eric Piveteau Franck Di Rienzo Olivier Bolliet Aymeric Guillot |
| author_facet | Eric Piveteau Franck Di Rienzo Olivier Bolliet Aymeric Guillot |
| author_sort | Eric Piveteau |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | IntroductionThere is compelling evidence that motor imagery (MI) contributes to improve muscle strength. While strong effects have been observed for finger muscles, only few experiments with moderate benefits were conducted within applied settings targeting large upper or lower limb muscles. The aim of the present study was therefore to extend the investigation of embedded MI practice designed to improve maximal voluntary strength on a multi-joint dynamic exercise involving the lower limbs. Additionally, we tested whether targeting the content of MI on another movement than that physically performed and involving the same body parts might promote inter-task transfer of strength gains.MethodsA total of 75 participants were randomly assigned into three groups who underwent a physical training on back squat. During inter-trial recovery periods, a first MI group (n = 25) mentally rehearsed the back squat, while a second MI group (n = 25) performed MI of a different movement involving the lower limbs (deadlift). Participants from the control group (n = 25) completed a neutral cognitive task during equivalent time. Strength and power gains were assessed ecologically using a velocity transducer device at 4 different time periods.ResultsData first revealed that participants who engaged in MI of the back squat improved their back squat performance (p < 0.03 and p < 0.01, respectively), more than the control group (p < 0.05), hence supporting the positive effects of MI on strength. Data further supported the inter-task transfer of strength gains when MI targeted a movement that was not physically trained (p = 0.05).DiscussionThese findings provide experimental support for the use of MI during physical training sessions to improve and transfer force development. |
| first_indexed | 2024-03-12T14:56:16Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-193a6e59184c4cafb6decac71c1c2b1c |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 1662-453X |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-03-12T14:56:16Z |
| publishDate | 2023-08-01 |
| publisher | Frontiers Media S.A. |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Frontiers in Neuroscience |
| spelling | doaj.art-193a6e59184c4cafb6decac71c1c2b1c2023-08-14T18:23:20ZengFrontiers Media S.A.Frontiers in Neuroscience1662-453X2023-08-011710.3389/fnins.2023.12280621228062Inter-task transfer of force gains is facilitated by motor imageryEric PiveteauFranck Di RienzoOlivier BollietAymeric GuillotIntroductionThere is compelling evidence that motor imagery (MI) contributes to improve muscle strength. While strong effects have been observed for finger muscles, only few experiments with moderate benefits were conducted within applied settings targeting large upper or lower limb muscles. The aim of the present study was therefore to extend the investigation of embedded MI practice designed to improve maximal voluntary strength on a multi-joint dynamic exercise involving the lower limbs. Additionally, we tested whether targeting the content of MI on another movement than that physically performed and involving the same body parts might promote inter-task transfer of strength gains.MethodsA total of 75 participants were randomly assigned into three groups who underwent a physical training on back squat. During inter-trial recovery periods, a first MI group (n = 25) mentally rehearsed the back squat, while a second MI group (n = 25) performed MI of a different movement involving the lower limbs (deadlift). Participants from the control group (n = 25) completed a neutral cognitive task during equivalent time. Strength and power gains were assessed ecologically using a velocity transducer device at 4 different time periods.ResultsData first revealed that participants who engaged in MI of the back squat improved their back squat performance (p < 0.03 and p < 0.01, respectively), more than the control group (p < 0.05), hence supporting the positive effects of MI on strength. Data further supported the inter-task transfer of strength gains when MI targeted a movement that was not physically trained (p = 0.05).DiscussionThese findings provide experimental support for the use of MI during physical training sessions to improve and transfer force development.https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fnins.2023.1228062/fullmovement imageryinter-task transfermotor performanceforcemental practice |
| spellingShingle | Eric Piveteau Franck Di Rienzo Olivier Bolliet Aymeric Guillot Inter-task transfer of force gains is facilitated by motor imagery Frontiers in Neuroscience movement imagery inter-task transfer motor performance force mental practice |
| title | Inter-task transfer of force gains is facilitated by motor imagery |
| title_full | Inter-task transfer of force gains is facilitated by motor imagery |
| title_fullStr | Inter-task transfer of force gains is facilitated by motor imagery |
| title_full_unstemmed | Inter-task transfer of force gains is facilitated by motor imagery |
| title_short | Inter-task transfer of force gains is facilitated by motor imagery |
| title_sort | inter task transfer of force gains is facilitated by motor imagery |
| topic | movement imagery inter-task transfer motor performance force mental practice |
| url | https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fnins.2023.1228062/full |
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