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MOTOR IMAGERY, PHYSICAL PRACTICE, AND MEMORY: THE EFFECTS ON PERFORMANCE AND WORKLOAD.

Louisa D Raisbeck1, Jed A Diekfuss1, William Wyatt2

  • 11 University of North Carolina, Greensboro.

Perceptual and Motor Skills
|November 24, 2015
PubMed
Summary

Physical practice leads to faster performance than motor imagery, especially when memory retrieval is needed. Motor imagery also increases workload, impacting cognitive performance.

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Area of Science:

  • Motor learning and cognitive psychology

Background:

  • Theoretical explanations for performance changes in motor imagery and physical practice are inconsistent, particularly concerning memory retrieval.
  • Understanding the interplay between practice type, memory demands, and cognitive workload is crucial for optimizing skill acquisition.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the effects of physical practice versus motor imagery on performance time and workload.
  • To examine how memory retrieval requirements influence performance and workload in different practice conditions.
  • To clarify theoretical inconsistencies regarding motor learning and memory.

Main Methods:

  • Participants engaged in a key-pressing task under four conditions: physical practice with/without learning instructions, and motor imagery with/without learning instructions.
  • Performance time and perceived workload were measured during acquisition and two retention tests.
  • The second retention test specifically removed memory cues (key diagram) to assess memory retrieval demands.

Main Results:

  • No significant effects of learning instructions on performance changes during practice were observed.
  • Physical practice resulted in significantly faster performance than motor imagery in both retention tests.
  • Motor imagery conditions reported higher workload, especially when memory retrieval was required.

Conclusions:

  • Physical practice is more effective than motor imagery for improving performance, particularly in tasks requiring memory recall.
  • Increased cognitive workload associated with motor imagery may hinder performance, especially under memory-retrieval demands.
  • Findings suggest that workload should be considered when comparing motor imagery and physical practice efficacy.