The capacity of action observation to drag the trainees' motor pattern toward the observed model
Abstract Action Observation Training (AOT) promotes the acquisition of motor abilities. However, while the cortical modulations associated with the AOT efficacy are well known, few studies investigated the AOT peripheral neural correlates and whether their dynamics move towards the observed model du...
| Main Authors: | , , , , , , , , , |
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
| Published: |
Nature Portfolio
2023-06-01
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| Series: | Scientific Reports |
| Online Access: | https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-023-35664-w |
| _version_ | 1797806768725688320 |
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| author | Maria Chiara Bazzini Arturo Nuara Giulio Branchini Doriana De Marco Laura Ferrari Maria Chiara Lanini Simone Paolini Emilia Scalona Pietro Avanzini Maddalena Fabbri-Destro |
| author_facet | Maria Chiara Bazzini Arturo Nuara Giulio Branchini Doriana De Marco Laura Ferrari Maria Chiara Lanini Simone Paolini Emilia Scalona Pietro Avanzini Maddalena Fabbri-Destro |
| author_sort | Maria Chiara Bazzini |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Abstract Action Observation Training (AOT) promotes the acquisition of motor abilities. However, while the cortical modulations associated with the AOT efficacy are well known, few studies investigated the AOT peripheral neural correlates and whether their dynamics move towards the observed model during the training. We administered seventy-two participants (randomized into AOT and Control groups) with training for learning to grasp marbles with chopsticks. Execution practice was preceded by an observation session, in which AOT participants observed an expert performing the task, whereas controls observed landscape videos. Behavioral indices were measured, and three hand muscles' electromyographic (EMG) activity was recorded and compared with the expert. Behaviorally, both groups improved during the training, with AOT outperforming controls. The EMG trainee-model similarity also increased during the training, but only for the AOT group. When combining behavioral and EMG similarity findings, no global relationship emerged; however, behavioral improvements were "locally" predicted by the similarity gain in muscles and action phases more related to the specific motor act. These findings reveal that AOT plays a magnetic role in motor learning, attracting the trainee's motor pattern toward the observed model and paving the way for developing online monitoring tools and neurofeedback protocols. |
| first_indexed | 2024-03-13T06:12:22Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-41c9b8c7e3034349b4a4df180e9d8d31 |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 2045-2322 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-03-13T06:12:22Z |
| publishDate | 2023-06-01 |
| publisher | Nature Portfolio |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Scientific Reports |
| spelling | doaj.art-41c9b8c7e3034349b4a4df180e9d8d312023-06-11T11:10:50ZengNature PortfolioScientific Reports2045-23222023-06-0113111110.1038/s41598-023-35664-wThe capacity of action observation to drag the trainees' motor pattern toward the observed modelMaria Chiara Bazzini0Arturo Nuara1Giulio Branchini2Doriana De Marco3Laura Ferrari4Maria Chiara Lanini5Simone Paolini6Emilia Scalona7Pietro Avanzini8Maddalena Fabbri-Destro9Consiglio Nazionale delle Ricerche, Istituto di NeuroscienzeConsiglio Nazionale delle Ricerche, Istituto di NeuroscienzeDipartimento di Medicina e Chirurgia, Università degli Studi di ParmaDipartimento di Medicina e Chirurgia, Università degli Studi di ParmaConsiglio Nazionale delle Ricerche, Istituto di NeuroscienzeDipartimento di Medicina e Chirurgia, Università degli Studi di ParmaConsiglio Nazionale delle Ricerche, Istituto di NeuroscienzeConsiglio Nazionale delle Ricerche, Istituto di NeuroscienzeConsiglio Nazionale delle Ricerche, Istituto di NeuroscienzeConsiglio Nazionale delle Ricerche, Istituto di NeuroscienzeAbstract Action Observation Training (AOT) promotes the acquisition of motor abilities. However, while the cortical modulations associated with the AOT efficacy are well known, few studies investigated the AOT peripheral neural correlates and whether their dynamics move towards the observed model during the training. We administered seventy-two participants (randomized into AOT and Control groups) with training for learning to grasp marbles with chopsticks. Execution practice was preceded by an observation session, in which AOT participants observed an expert performing the task, whereas controls observed landscape videos. Behavioral indices were measured, and three hand muscles' electromyographic (EMG) activity was recorded and compared with the expert. Behaviorally, both groups improved during the training, with AOT outperforming controls. The EMG trainee-model similarity also increased during the training, but only for the AOT group. When combining behavioral and EMG similarity findings, no global relationship emerged; however, behavioral improvements were "locally" predicted by the similarity gain in muscles and action phases more related to the specific motor act. These findings reveal that AOT plays a magnetic role in motor learning, attracting the trainee's motor pattern toward the observed model and paving the way for developing online monitoring tools and neurofeedback protocols.https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-023-35664-w |
| spellingShingle | Maria Chiara Bazzini Arturo Nuara Giulio Branchini Doriana De Marco Laura Ferrari Maria Chiara Lanini Simone Paolini Emilia Scalona Pietro Avanzini Maddalena Fabbri-Destro The capacity of action observation to drag the trainees' motor pattern toward the observed model Scientific Reports |
| title | The capacity of action observation to drag the trainees' motor pattern toward the observed model |
| title_full | The capacity of action observation to drag the trainees' motor pattern toward the observed model |
| title_fullStr | The capacity of action observation to drag the trainees' motor pattern toward the observed model |
| title_full_unstemmed | The capacity of action observation to drag the trainees' motor pattern toward the observed model |
| title_short | The capacity of action observation to drag the trainees' motor pattern toward the observed model |
| title_sort | capacity of action observation to drag the trainees motor pattern toward the observed model |
| url | https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-023-35664-w |
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