Motor imagery (MI) is a phenomenon of internally perceiving or simulating an actual motor action without physically executing it by using motor-related parts of the brain as its substrate. Imaging studies show that MI increases activity in cortical areas that overlap with cortical areas activated during the actual performance of motor acts, providing evidence for the common coding between perception and action. Application of MI in the acquisition of motor skills and in the enhancement of muscle strength is MI training (MIT), which is also known as mental practice or action-imagery practice. Studies of MIT come from different areas of research such as sport psychology, cognitive psychology, motor learning & control, cognitive neuroscience, and exercise science. Studies have shown that MIT is effective for motor skill acquisition/reacquisition and muscle strengthening in both sport and rehabilitation settings.
Although there is scientific evidence showing the efficacy of MIT in motor skill acquisition or reacquisition and muscle strength enhancement in sport and physical rehabilitation settings, it still has a long way to go for drawing far-reaching conclusions about the efficacy of MIT on motor function in both healthy and clinical populations and underlying neuromechanisms. Understanding of the underlying neuromechanisms will help practioners such as coaches, physical educators and clinians design more effective training/intervention programs to optimize the training effects. Thus, in this issue, while we will consider any studies about MIT in general but specific focus will be given to the studies in examining neuromechanisms underlying MIT and its effect on enhancing motor skill acquisition and motor performance for both healthy and disabled populations.
The main objective of the research topic is to further determining the efficacy of MIT in both sport and rehabilitation settings and advance the understanding of the underlying neuromechanisms. Thus, manuscripts that examine the efficacy of MIT on motor skill acquisition and muscle strength enhancement in sports and rehabilitation settings and determine the underlying neuromechanisms of MIT. Manuscripts that compare the neuromachanisms underlying MIT and other training protocols such as mirror therapy and bilateral transfer of motor skill acquisition are also very welcome. This research topic welcomes all types of research manuscripts related to MIT, including but not limited to: original research, systematic reviews, systematic review and meta-analysis, research methods, and training protocole articles.
Motor imagery (MI) is a phenomenon of internally perceiving or simulating an actual motor action without physically executing it by using motor-related parts of the brain as its substrate. Imaging studies show that MI increases activity in cortical areas that overlap with cortical areas activated during the actual performance of motor acts, providing evidence for the common coding between perception and action. Application of MI in the acquisition of motor skills and in the enhancement of muscle strength is MI training (MIT), which is also known as mental practice or action-imagery practice. Studies of MIT come from different areas of research such as sport psychology, cognitive psychology, motor learning & control, cognitive neuroscience, and exercise science. Studies have shown that MIT is effective for motor skill acquisition/reacquisition and muscle strengthening in both sport and rehabilitation settings.
Although there is scientific evidence showing the efficacy of MIT in motor skill acquisition or reacquisition and muscle strength enhancement in sport and physical rehabilitation settings, it still has a long way to go for drawing far-reaching conclusions about the efficacy of MIT on motor function in both healthy and clinical populations and underlying neuromechanisms. Understanding of the underlying neuromechanisms will help practioners such as coaches, physical educators and clinians design more effective training/intervention programs to optimize the training effects. Thus, in this issue, while we will consider any studies about MIT in general but specific focus will be given to the studies in examining neuromechanisms underlying MIT and its effect on enhancing motor skill acquisition and motor performance for both healthy and disabled populations.
The main objective of the research topic is to further determining the efficacy of MIT in both sport and rehabilitation settings and advance the understanding of the underlying neuromechanisms. Thus, manuscripts that examine the efficacy of MIT on motor skill acquisition and muscle strength enhancement in sports and rehabilitation settings and determine the underlying neuromechanisms of MIT. Manuscripts that compare the neuromachanisms underlying MIT and other training protocols such as mirror therapy and bilateral transfer of motor skill acquisition are also very welcome. This research topic welcomes all types of research manuscripts related to MIT, including but not limited to: original research, systematic reviews, systematic review and meta-analysis, research methods, and training protocole articles.
