Motor Imagery Training Improves Interoception and Satisfaction with Performance

Background and Objectives: Sport practice, performance satisfaction, and interoception influence physical and mental health. Motor imagery (MI) training improves sensorimotor and cognitive-emotional functions. This study aimed to (a) compare sedentary and artistic gymnastics-practicing young females and (b) evaluate the changes in interoception and performance satisfaction occurring in gymnastics-practicing participants after one month of motor imagery training. Materials and Methods: The difference in interoceptive accuracy (IA) and sensibility (IS) between young sedentary females (Control group, C, n = 27) and age-matched females practicing artistic gymnastics (Experimental group, E, n = 27) were studied using the Interoceptive Accuracy Scale (IAS), the Multisensory Assessment of Interoceptive Awareness (MAIA), and Body Perception Questionnaire (BPQ). The capacity for focusing one's attention on specific tasks (absorption) was assessed by the Tellegen Absorption Scale (TAS). Groups were compared at T0 (before motor imagery training). In group E, the same variables and satisfaction with performance were rated before and after 1 month of motor imagery training. The years of practice and absorption were used as covariates in analyses. Results: (a) Group E exhibited significantly higher scores in the MAIA dimensions than group C and similar BPQ and IAS scores; (b) group E's satisfaction with performance, MAIA, IAS, and BPQ scores increased significantly from T0 to T1. The increase in performance satisfaction became non-significant when using years of practice as the control. The improvement in MAIA dimensions became non-significant when using TAS as the control. Conclusions: Despite the limitations as a result of the absence of an objective evaluation of the performance and physiological correlations of mental imagery and interoceptive accuracy, the baseline differences between the two groups confirm that practicing artistic gymnastics improves interoception. The experience undergone by group E of better performance after training is associated with further improvement in interoceptive intermingled pathways and shared relay stations of sensorimotor and interoceptive information. The results are relevant to the setting up of personalized mental training to improve physical and mental health.