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Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jun 26, 2026

Motor Imagery Performance Through Embodied Digital Twins in a Virtual Reality-Enabled Brain-Computer Interface Environment

Motor Imagery Performance Through Embodied Digital Twins in a Virtual Reality-Enabled Brain-Computer Interface Environment

Published on: May 10, 2024

Motor imagery development in primary school children.

Karen Caeyenberghs¹, Jenny Tsoupas, Peter H Wilson

¹Department of Biomedical Kinesiology, K.U. Leuven, Belgium. Karen.Caeyenberghs@faber.kuleuven.be

Developmental Neuropsychology

|January 15, 2009

Summary

Motor imagery develops alongside movement skill in children. This study found motor imagery and skill strengthen together throughout childhood, unlike visual imagery.

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Non-Invasive Modulation and Robotic Mapping of Motor Cortex in the Developing Brain

Non-Invasive Modulation and Robotic Mapping of Motor Cortex in the Developing Brain

Published on: July 1, 2019

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Motor Imagery Performance Through Embodied Digital Twins in a Virtual Reality-Enabled Brain-Computer Interface Environment

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Published on: May 10, 2024

Non-Invasive Modulation and Robotic Mapping of Motor Cortex in the Developing Brain

Non-Invasive Modulation and Robotic Mapping of Motor Cortex in the Developing Brain

Published on: July 1, 2019

Area of Science:

Child Development
Cognitive Neuroscience
Motor Control

Background:

Motor imagery, the mental simulation of movement, offers insights into motor representation.
The developmental trajectory of motor imagery in children is not well understood.
Understanding this development is crucial for fields like developmental psychology and pediatric motor rehabilitation.

Purpose of the Study:

To chart the development of motor imagery in children aged 7-12 years.
To investigate the relationship between motor imagery and motor skill development.
To differentiate the developmental paths of motor versus visual imagery.

Main Methods:

Cross-sectional study involving 58 Australian primary school children (ages 7-12).
Assessed motor imagery using the Radial Pointing Task and Hand Rotation Task.
Measured motor skill with the McCarron Assessment of Neuromuscular Development (MAND) and visual imagery with the Letter Rotation Task.

Main Results:

Significant age-related differences were observed in motor skill, motor imagery, and visual imagery.
The correlation between motor imagery and motor skill increased with age.
No significant relationship was found between visual imagery and motor skill at any age.

Conclusions:

Motor imagery follows a distinct developmental trajectory closely linked to motor skill acquisition in children.
Motor imagery development reflects the maturation of internal modeling processes essential for goal-directed movement.
These findings highlight the importance of motor imagery in children's motor development and learning.