Neuronal dynamics of slow and fast-motion motor imagery

Motor imagery (MI) is a cognitive process requiring mental simulation of physical actions, engaging neural networks that overlap with those activated during actual execution. This study investigated the neural correlates of slow and fast MI in ten healthy adolescent athletes instructed to mentally simulate a soccer dribbling task at low and high speeds. Brain activity was recorded using electroencephalography, focusing on alpha (8-12 Hz) and beta (18-28 Hz) wave frequencies. Results revealed distinct neural dynamics for the two MI speeds. Fast MI was characterized by increased alpha wave activity in prefrontal (Fp2), frontal (F3, F8), central (C3), parietal (P3), and occipital (O2) regions, alongside heightened beta wave activity in occipital areas (O1, O2) compared to the resting state. Conversely, slow MI primarily elicited increased beta activity in somatosensory parietal regions (P3, Pz) relative to rest. These findings highlight that fast-speed imagery predominantly activates fronto-central and posterior regions, reflecting its reliance on visual imagery and higher-order cognitive processes such as rapid planning and visual tracking. In contrast, slow-speed imagery engages somatosensory parietal areas, suggesting a greater emphasis on kinesthetic processing and focused attention. The study underscores the distinct neural and cognitive demands of fast and slow MI, providing insights into their functional specialization. These results have implications for optimizing MI strategies in sports training, motor learning, and rehabilitation.