It is now well accepted that physical practice is not the only way to acquire motor skills and that observational practice -where learners do not perform any motor response- facilitates the learning of a wide range of tasks. Observational learning represents a crucial learning strategy in different real-life situations, by preventing risks of physical injury and requiring low-energy consumption. Yet, combining observational and physical practice already occurs in many occupational, applied teaching and training situations. Theoretical approaches proposed that observational and physical practice share some common features at the cognitive and neural levels, thus providing evidence of a relative “neuro-functional equivalence” between practice modalities. However, another recent line of research is devoted to identifying the specificity of observational learning, as a
unique learning modality that can somewhat differ from and complement physical practice. However, more research is needed to unravel the cognitive and neurophysiological mechanisms underlying observational learning.

This Research Topic is proposed to encourage studies aiming at elucidating the neuro-cognitive correspondence between observation and action through the use of observational learning protocols in fundamental and applied research contexts. Behavioural and multimodal neuroimaging paradigms (EEG, fMRI etc.), as well as innovative neuromodulation approaches (neurofeedback, TMS etc.), can further our understanding of the behavioural determinants and neurophysiological processes related to motor learning through observation and action. Furthermore, these outcomes could benefit not only our understanding of the neuro-functional equivalence between physical and observational practice but crucially impact the development of non-physical neurorehabilitation programs such as for patients with motor deficits after physical or brain injury.

This Research Topic seeks to provide significant contributions to the field by inviting primarily original research articles, but also reviews and meta-analyses to address these issues. We encourage authors to explore the following, but not limited to, research themes:
• Experimental paradigms combining physical practice and observational practice through different scheduling formats (practice schedules, dyad protocols etc.) to improve motor performance and learning.
• Innovative behavioral paradigms for studying the functional equivalence and specificity of observational learning, in comparison to physical practice.
• Use of neuroimaging techniques to improve our understanding of the neurophysiological mechanisms related to memory encoding and wake/sleep consolidation following observational learning.
• Non-invasive neuromodulation approaches to improve or alter motor learning by observation.
• Recent advances and observation-based intervention protocols in the field of neurorehabilitation.

We hope that this Research Topic will trigger interest in advanced research in our common goal to better understand observational learning, and pursue its best practice dissemination.

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Frontiers in Cognition

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