Short-term effects of integrated motor imagery practice on muscle activation and force performance

• Published in: Neuroscience Vol. 305; pp. 146 - 156
• Main Authors: Di Rienzo, F, Blache, Y, Kanthack, T.F.D, Monteil, K, Collet, C, Guillot, A
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: United States Elsevier Ltd 01-10-2015; Elsevier - International Brain Research Organization
• Subjects: Adolescent; Autonomic Nervous System - physiology; Cognitive science; Cognitive Sciences; Elbow Joint - innervation; Electrodermal Activity; Electromyography; Evoked Potentials, Motor - physiology; Female; force development; Galvanic Skin Response; Humans; Imagery (Psychotherapy); Isometric Contraction; Isometric Contraction - physiology; Life Sciences; Male; Mental Practice; Motivation; Motor Imagery; Muscle Fatigue; Muscle Strength; Muscle Strength - physiology; Muscle, Skeletal - physiology; Neurology; Neurons and Cognition; Neuroplasticity; Neuroscience; Physical Endurance; Physical Training; Practice (Psychology); Psychomotor; Rehabilitation; Resistance Training; Self Report; Sports Training; Sympathetic Nervous System; Time Factors; training; Young Adult; force development; EDA; iEMG; electrodermal activity; motor imagery; training; electromyogram; mental practice; EDR; integrated electromyogram; rehabilitation; MI; electrodermal responses; EMG
• ISSN: 0306-4522; 1873-7544
• DOI: 10.1016/j.neuroscience.2015.07.080

Highlights • We tested the effect of integrated motor imagery (MI) practice on isometric force performance. • Force was higher after MI of muscle activation and relaxation compared to control. • Muscle activation was also higher during the two MI conditions compared to the control condition. • MI of muscle activation outperformed MI of muscle relaxation in force performance yet, comparable activation of the main agonist muscle was however recorded during the two MI conditions. • Differences between the two MI conditions might reflect differences in synergic muscles’ activation.