Neural-adaptation training paradigms (NATP), including mirror therapy (MT), motor imagery training (MIT), and intermanual transfer (IT), are utilized individually or in combination for motor skill acquisition and reacquisition in sports and rehabilitation. These strategies share the common goal of enhancing motor skill acquisition by inducing neural adaptations without direct physical exercising on the targeted limbs. While most studies in these fields show moderate to large effectiveness in improving motor skills, some report unfavorable effects when using these strategies either individually or in combination. Therefore, it's essential to have a special research topic to systematically address the effects of NATP and discern their nuances. By delving into their effects and elucidating similarities and disparities, this initiative seeks to augment the efficacy and refinement of these paradigms in clinical and athletic settings. This proposed research topic seeks contributions from multidisciplinary perspectives, drawing upon insights from fields including sport psychology, cognitive psychology, motor learning, cognitive neuroscience, exercise science, physical therapy, and occupational therapy.
While scientific evidence supports the efficacy of Neural-Adaptation Training Paradigms (NATP) (i.e., Mirror Therapy, Motor Imagery Training and Intermanual Transfer) in motor skill acquisition and reacquisition across clinical and sport settings, substantial progress is still needed to draw comprehensive conclusions regarding their impact on motor function in both healthy and clinical populations, as well as the underlying neuromechanisms. A deeper understanding of these neuromechanisms is crucial for practitioners such as coaches, physical educators, and clinicians to develop more effective training and intervention programs that optimize training outcomes. Therefore, in this issue, while we welcome studies on NATP in general, particular emphasis will be placed on research examining the neuromechanisms underlying NATP and their effects on enhancing motor skill acquisition and reacquisition in both healthy and disabled populations.
The primary aim of this research topic is to further explore the efficacy of Neural-Adaptation Training Paradigms (NATP) (i.e., Mirror Therapy, Motor Imagery Training and Intermanual Transfer) in both sports and rehabilitation settings, while advancing understanding of the underlying neuromechanisms. Manuscripts investigating the efficacy of NATP on motor skill acquisition and reacquisition in clinical and sports contexts, as well as those elucidating the underlying neuromechanisms, are encouraged. This research topic invites various types of manuscripts related to NATP, including but not limited to original research, systematic reviews, systematic reviews with meta-analysis, research methods, and training protocol articles.
We welcome submissions in the following Topics not limited to:
• Any studies on neural-adaptation training paradigms (NATP), including but not limited to mirror therapy, motor imagery training, and bilateral transfer in general;
• emphasis on research examining neuromechanisms underlying NATP;
• effects of NATP on enhancing motor skill acquisition and reacquisition in both healthy and disabled populations.
Keywords:
motor imagery training, mirror therapy, and bilateral transfer, motor learning/control and rehabilitation, Sport
Important Note:
All contributions to this Research Topic must be within the scope of the section and journal to which they are submitted, as defined in their mission statements. Frontiers reserves the right to guide an out-of-scope manuscript to a more suitable section or journal at any stage of peer review.
Neural-adaptation training paradigms (NATP), including mirror therapy (MT), motor imagery training (MIT), and intermanual transfer (IT), are utilized individually or in combination for motor skill acquisition and reacquisition in sports and rehabilitation. These strategies share the common goal of enhancing motor skill acquisition by inducing neural adaptations without direct physical exercising on the targeted limbs. While most studies in these fields show moderate to large effectiveness in improving motor skills, some report unfavorable effects when using these strategies either individually or in combination. Therefore, it's essential to have a special research topic to systematically address the effects of NATP and discern their nuances. By delving into their effects and elucidating similarities and disparities, this initiative seeks to augment the efficacy and refinement of these paradigms in clinical and athletic settings. This proposed research topic seeks contributions from multidisciplinary perspectives, drawing upon insights from fields including sport psychology, cognitive psychology, motor learning, cognitive neuroscience, exercise science, physical therapy, and occupational therapy.
While scientific evidence supports the efficacy of Neural-Adaptation Training Paradigms (NATP) (i.e., Mirror Therapy, Motor Imagery Training and Intermanual Transfer) in motor skill acquisition and reacquisition across clinical and sport settings, substantial progress is still needed to draw comprehensive conclusions regarding their impact on motor function in both healthy and clinical populations, as well as the underlying neuromechanisms. A deeper understanding of these neuromechanisms is crucial for practitioners such as coaches, physical educators, and clinicians to develop more effective training and intervention programs that optimize training outcomes. Therefore, in this issue, while we welcome studies on NATP in general, particular emphasis will be placed on research examining the neuromechanisms underlying NATP and their effects on enhancing motor skill acquisition and reacquisition in both healthy and disabled populations.
The primary aim of this research topic is to further explore the efficacy of Neural-Adaptation Training Paradigms (NATP) (i.e., Mirror Therapy, Motor Imagery Training and Intermanual Transfer) in both sports and rehabilitation settings, while advancing understanding of the underlying neuromechanisms. Manuscripts investigating the efficacy of NATP on motor skill acquisition and reacquisition in clinical and sports contexts, as well as those elucidating the underlying neuromechanisms, are encouraged. This research topic invites various types of manuscripts related to NATP, including but not limited to original research, systematic reviews, systematic reviews with meta-analysis, research methods, and training protocol articles.
We welcome submissions in the following Topics not limited to:
• Any studies on neural-adaptation training paradigms (NATP), including but not limited to mirror therapy, motor imagery training, and bilateral transfer in general;
• emphasis on research examining neuromechanisms underlying NATP;
• effects of NATP on enhancing motor skill acquisition and reacquisition in both healthy and disabled populations.
Keywords:
motor imagery training, mirror therapy, and bilateral transfer, motor learning/control and rehabilitation, Sport
Important Note:
All contributions to this Research Topic must be within the scope of the section and journal to which they are submitted, as defined in their mission statements. Frontiers reserves the right to guide an out-of-scope manuscript to a more suitable section or journal at any stage of peer review.