Motor Imagery and Performance| The Role of Movement and Perspective

• Main Author: Luzzeri, Matteo
• Language: EN
• Published: University of Louisiana at Lafayette 2015
• Subjects: Psychology
• Online Access: http://pqdtopen.proquest.com/#viewpdf?dispub=1592624

<p>The superior performance-enhancing features of dynamic imagery over static imagery have been defended by current motor imagery theories, especially those stressing functional equivalence. However, a substantial lack of applied research on the role of movement in motor imagery leaves this claim without the necessary support. On the other hand, the visual perspective of motor imagery has received a lot of attention, and several theories emerged addressing the conditions in which internal or external visual imagery should be employed. Among other issues, this study addressed the question of whether moving while imagining leads to increased performance enhancement. Also, differences in performance enhancement due to perspective were investigated. Eighty introductory psychology students were randomly assigned to a movement and a perspective condition, leading to four experimental groups and a fifth control group that received no imagery training. A dart-throwing task was used to investigate performance enhancements over four trials. Videos from different points of view were used as the sole perspective-inducing method, while imagery training was aided by audio scripts presented before each dart-throwing trial. Results showed a nonsignificant perspective main effect in the way in which participants improved across trials. This finding is in line with previous research using a dart-throwing task. However, contrary to prediction, this study did not find a significant movement main effect. However, the video proved to be an effective perspective-inducing method. The applied implications of these findings are discussed, as are future research directions.