EFFECT OF EXPLICIT AWARENESS ON MOTOR IMAGERY PRACTICE

Motor imagery (MI) improves motor performance, but its effects on motor representations (e.g., kinematic parameters) seem inconsistent^1,2. These discrepancies may stem from differences in learning context, particularly whether learning is explicit (rule-based, declarative knowledge) or implicit (acquired without conscious awareness).
This study examines the impact of explicit awareness on motor and spatial representations following MI practice in a pursuit-tracking task. Participants will be assigned to four groups: Implicit, Explicit, Explicit-Guided (MI with a repeated sequence), and Control (observation only). Only the Explicit and Explicit-Guided groups will be informed about the sequence, and the Explicit-Guided group will receive additional directional cues.
Before and after training, and again after 24 hours, participants will perform random- and repeated-sequence tests with the trained hand to assess sequence-specific learning. Transfer tests with the untrained hand will include random, repeated (same direction sequence as the trained hand to assess spatial representations), and mirror (same muscle patterns to assess motor representations) sequences. Performance will be measured using root mean square error (RMSE).
Pilot data (9 participants) showed stronger immediate sequence-specific learning in the Implicit group. Motor and spatial representations emerged immediately only in this group, whereas Explicit and Explicit-Guided groups required consolidation. These results suggest that explicit awareness may temporarily limit MI learning due to higher cognitive demands³.
1. Dahm, S. F. & Rieger, M., Hum Mov Sci, 2023
2. Dahm, S. F., Weigelt, M. & Rieger, M., Psychol Res, 2023
3. Glover, S., Bibby, E. & Tuomi, E., Exp Brain Res, 2020